Female connector and connector

ABSTRACT

A female connector ( 100 ) to be connected to a male connector ( 170 ) having a tubular section ( 172 ), out of which a liquid-like substance flows, is disclosed. The female connector has an adaptor ( 110 ) installed on the outer peripheral surface of the tubular section, and a handle ( 120 ) fitted on the adaptor. The adaptor has a tube-shaped section ( 112 ) having an opening ( 119   a ) at one end. The tube-shaped section includes an insertion section ( 119 ) into which the tubular section is inserted from the opening, and the insertion section has flexibility and elasticity. The handle has a rigidity higher than that of the insertion section of the adaptor. There is provided movement limitation means that limits a range in which the handle is capable of moving relative to the adaptor from an end of the adaptor on an opposite side of the opening to an end thereof on the opening side in a direction of a center axis ( 111 ) of the adaptor.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a female connector to be connected to amale connector, out of which a liquid-like substance flows. The presentinvention also relates to a connector composed of a male connector and afemale connector.

BACKGROUND ART

As a method for administering a nutrient or a drug to a patientparenterally, a transintestine nutrition therapy and an intravenousnutrition therapy are known. According to the transintestine nutritiontherapy, a liquid-like substance such as a nutrient, a liquid diet, or adrug (generally called a “transintestine nutrient”) is administeredthrough a tube running from the nasal cavity to the stomach or theduodenum of a patient (generally called a “nasotracheal tube”) orthrough a tube inserted in a gastric fistula formed in the abdomen ofthe patient (generally called a “PEG tube”) (the operation for forming agastric fistula is called “Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy”).Further, according to the intravenous nutrition therapy, a liquid-likesubstance containing a nutrient component such as glucose or a drugcomponent (generally called an “infusion solution”) is administeredthrough an infusion solution line inserted in the vein of a patient.

The transintestine nutrition therapy through a nasotracheal tube will bedescribed. A liquid-like substance to be administered to a patient isstored in a medical container. A male connector, out of which theliquid-like substance flows, is provided at a lower end of the medicalcontainer. The liquid-like substance in the medical container generallyis administered to a patient through a transintestine nutrient set and anasotracheal tube. A female connector to be connected to the maleconnector is provided at one end of a tube constituting thetransintestine nutrient set (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

The male connector provided at the medical container generally has atubular section, out of which the liquid-like substance flows. There areno specifications as standards regarding the shape and size of thetubular section, and the shape and size of the tubular section varydepending upon manufacturers of the medical container and the maleconnector. FIGS. 46A to 46I are side views showing tubular sections 901Ato 901I of conventional male connectors adopted by respectivemanufacturers. As shown in these figures, the specifications regardingthe shape, outer diameter, length, and the like of an outer peripheralsurface of the tubular section of the male connector vary depending uponmanufacturers.

In a facility (for example, a medical care organization) performingtransintestine nutrition, conventionally, a container to be filled witha transintestine nutrient and a transintestine nutrient set mostly arereused, and in that case, washing, disinfection, and filling of atransintestine nutrient are performed while the container and thetransintestine nutrient set are connected to each other. However,recently, in view of the prevention of infection, a pre-filled nutrient,which is on sale under the condition that a disposable container isfilled with a transintestine nutrient, is spreading. Along with thespread of the pre-filled nutrient, chances are growing that a containerand a transintestine nutrient set are dealt with as separate bodies, andthe problem of mismatching (connection defect) between a male connectorof a container and a female connector of a transintestine nutrient setis becoming conspicuous, which is caused by the presence of variousspecifications regarding the tubular section of the male connector ofthe container as described above.

As a conventional general-purpose female connector capable of beingconnected to various male connectors, as shown in FIG. 47A, acylindrical rubber tube 902 with elasticity connected to one end of atube 903 has been used so as to be connected to a tubular section 901 ofvarious male connectors having different shapes and sizes. As shown inFIG. 47B, the rubber tube 902 is fitted in a direction indicated by anarrow 910 so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the tubularsection 901, and as shown in FIG. 47C, the rubber tube 902 and thetubular section 901 are connected to each other. The rubber tube 902stretches and is deformed in accordance with the tapered shape of theouter peripheral surface of the tubular section 901, and comes intotight contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tubular section901 due to the elastic recovery force.

Patent Document 1: JP 11(1999)-28244 A DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Problemto be Solved by the Invention

However, the conventional general-purpose female connector made of therubber tube 902 shown in FIG. 47A has a problem in that it is difficultto perform an operation of connecting the rubber tube 902 to the tubularsection 901, due to the friction generated between the tubular section901 and the rubber tube 92. In the connection operation, the outerperipheral surface of the rubber tube 902 is grasped with two fingers.In FIG. 47B, when a region 902 a of the rubber tube 902 covering thetubular section 901 is grasped, the grasping force increases thefriction between the tubular section 901 and the rubber tube 902, whichmakes it difficult to move the rubber tube 902 with respect to thetubular section 901. In FIG. 47B, when a region 902 b of the rubber tube902 not covering the tubular section 901 or the tube 903 is grasped, therubber tube 902 is buckled and deformed easily by the force in thedirection indicated by the arrow 910, which also makes it difficult tomove the rubber tube 902 with respect to the tubular section 901.

When the flexibility of the rubber tube 902 is enhanced so that therubber tube 902 elongates easily, the rubber tube 902 further becomeslikely to buckle and deform, which rather makes it difficult to performa connection operation. Further, when the inner diameter of the rubbertube 902 is increased, the friction between the tubular section 901 andthe rubber tube 902 can be decreased. Therefore, the connectionoperation between the tubular section 901 and the rubber tube 902becomes easy. However, in this case, there arises a new problem in thatthe rubber tube 902 fitted on the tubular section 901 comes off easily,or the liquid-like substance leaks from between the tubular section 901and the rubber tube 902.

There also is a problem that it may take time and trouble to insert thetubular section 901 into the rubber tube 902 depending upon the shapeand size of the outer peripheral surface of the tubular section 901 ofthe male connector.

The above-mentioned problems similarly occur even in the case ofconnecting a PEG tube or a tube constituting an infusion solution lineused in the intravenous nutrition therapy.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems,and its object is to provide a female connector that can be connected tovarious male connectors having different shapes and sizes and that isconnected to a male connector easily, and a connector.

Means for Solving Problem

A female connector of the present invention to be connected to a maleconnector having a tubular section, out of which a liquid-like substanceflows, includes: an adaptor installed on an outer peripheral surface ofthe tubular section, and a handle fitted on the adaptor. The adaptor hasa tube-shaped section having an opening at one end thereof, thetube-shaped section includes an insertion section into which the tubularsection is inserted from the opening, and the insertion section hasflexibility and elasticity. The handle has a rigidity higher than thatof the insertion section of the adaptor. There is provided movementlimitation means limiting a range in which the handle is capable ofmoving relative to the adaptor from an end of the adaptor on an oppositeside of the opening to an end thereof on the opening side in a centeraxis direction of the adaptor.

A connector of the present invention includes a male connector having atubular section, out of which a liquid-like substance flows, and afemale connector to be connected to the male connector, wherein thefemale connector is the above-mentioned female connector of the presentinvention.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, since the insertion section of theadaptor has flexibility and elasticity, the female connector can beconnected to various male connectors having different shapes and sizes.Further, the force in a direction approaching the male connector can beapplied to the adaptor via the handle having a rigidity higher than thatof the insertion section of the adaptor, and hence, the connectionoperation between the female connector and the male connector is easy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of afemale connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the female connector shown in FIG.1A.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of anadaptor constituting the female connector according to Embodiment 1 ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the adaptor shown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of ahandle constituting the female connector according to Embodiment 1 ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the handle shown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing a schematic configuration of anexample of a medical container and a male connector.

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view showing a method for connecting thefemale connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention to amale connector, illustrating a state before the connection.

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view showing a method for connecting thefemale connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention to amale connector, illustrating a state after the connection.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the femaleconnector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention isconnected to a male connector having a tubular section with a smallouter diameter.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration ofanother adaptor constituting the female connector according toEmbodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the adaptor shown in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of stillanother adaptor constituting the female connector according toEmbodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of theadaptor provided with a mechanism holding a handle in Embodiment 1 ofthe present invention.

FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view showing an operation of the mechanismholding a handle, provided on the adaptor shown in FIG. 9A.

FIG. 10A is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of theadaptor provided with another mechanism holding a handle in Embodiment 1of the present invention.

FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of the adaptor taken along a line10B-10B in FIG. 10A.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of thefemale connector provided with another mechanism holding a handle inEmbodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of thefemale connector provided with another mechanism holding a handle inEmbodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 13A is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration ofanother handle constituting the female connector according to Embodiment1 of the present invention.

FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view of the handle shown in FIG. 13A.

FIG. 14A is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration ofstill another handle constituting the female connector according toEmbodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 14B is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration ofstill another handle constituting the female connector according toEmbodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 15A is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration ofstill another handle constituting the female connector according toEmbodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 15B is a cross-sectional view of the handle shown in FIG. 15A.

FIG. 16A is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration ofstill another handle constituting the female connector according toEmbodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view of the handle shown in FIG. 16A.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of stillanother handle constituting the female connector according to Embodiment1 of the present invention.

FIG. 18A is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration ofstill another handle constituting the female connector according toEmbodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 18B is a plan view of the handle shown in FIG. 18A.

FIG. 19A is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration ofstill another handle constituting the female connector according toEmbodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 19B is a plan view of the handle shown in FIG. 19A.

FIG. 20A is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration ofanother female connector according to Embodiment 1 of the presentinvention.

FIG. 20B is a cross-sectional view of the female connector shown in FIG.20A.

FIG. 21A is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of anadaptor constituting another female connector according to Embodiment 1of the present invention.

FIG. 21B is a cross-sectional view of the adaptor shown in FIG. 21A.

FIG. 22A is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of ahandle constituting another female connector according to Embodiment 1of the present invention.

FIG. 22B is a cross-sectional view of the handle shown in FIG. 22A.

FIG. 23A is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration ofstill another female connector according to Embodiment 1 of the presentinvention.

FIG. 23B is a cross-sectional view of the female connector shown in FIG.23A.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of amale connector according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 25A is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the maleconnector according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 25B is a bottom view showing a schematic configuration of the maleconnector according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of ahandle constituting the female connector according to Embodiment 2 ofthe present invention.

FIG. 27A is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the handleconstituting the female connector according to Embodiment 2 of thepresent invention.

FIG. 27B is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the handleconstituting the female connector according to Embodiment 2 of thepresent invention.

FIG. 27C is a right side view showing a schematic configuration of thehandle constituting the female connector according to Embodiment 2 ofthe present invention.

FIG. 28A is a cross-sectional view of the handle taken along a line28A-28A in FIG. 27B.

FIG. 28B is a cross-sectional view of the handle taken along a line28B-28B in FIG. 27C.

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view showing a method for connecting afemale connector to a male connector in Embodiment 2 of the presentinvention.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing a state in which the femaleconnector and the male connector according to Embodiment 2 of thepresent invention are connected to each other.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of amale connector according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 32A is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the maleconnector according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 32B is a bottom view showing a schematic configuration of the maleconnector according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of ahandle constituting a female connector according to Embodiment 3 of thepresent invention.

FIG. 34A is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the handleconstituting the female connector according to Embodiment 3 of thepresent invention.

FIG. 34B is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the handleconstituting the female connector according to Embodiment 3 of thepresent invention.

FIG. 35A is a cross-sectional view of the handle taken along a line35A-35A in FIG. 34A.

FIG. 35B is a cross-sectional view of the handle taken along a line35B-35B in FIG. 34B.

FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view showing a method for connecting afemale connector to a male connector in Embodiment 3 of the presentinvention.

FIG. 37 is a perspective view showing a state in which the femaleconnector and the male connector according to Embodiment 3 of thepresent invention are connected to each other.

FIG. 38 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of amale connector according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 39A is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the maleconnector according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 39B is a bottom view showing a schematic configuration of the maleconnector according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 40 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of ahandle constituting the female connector according to Embodiment 4 ofthe present invention.

FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional view taken along a center axis of thehandle constituting the female connector according to Embodiment 4 ofthe present invention.

FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional view showing a method for connecting thefemale connector to the male connector in Embodiment 4 of the presentinvention.

FIG. 43 is a perspective view showing a state in which the femaleconnector and the male connector according to Embodiment 4 of thepresent invention are connected to each other.

FIG. 44 is a view showing another exemplary schematic configuration of amedical container.

FIG. 45A is a schematic perspective view of a male connector (port) usedin a medical container in FIG. 44.

FIG. 45B is a front view of the male connector (port) shown in FIG. 45A.

FIG. 45C is right side view of the male connector (port) shown in FIG.45A.

FIG. 46A is a side view showing an example of a tubular section of aconventional male connector.

FIG. 46B is a side view showing another example of the tubular sectionof the conventional male connector.

FIG. 46C is a side view showing still another example of the tubularsection of the conventional male connector.

FIG. 46D is a side view showing still another example of the tubularsection of the conventional male connector.

FIG. 46E is a side view showing still another example of the tubularsection of the conventional male connector.

FIG. 46F is a side view showing still another example of the tubularsection of the conventional male connector.

FIG. 46G is a side view showing still another example of the tubularsection of the conventional male connector.

FIG. 46H is a side view showing still another example of the tubularsection of the conventional male connector.

FIG. 46I is a side view showing still another example of the tubularsection of the conventional male connector.

FIG. 47A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a method forconnecting a conventional general-purpose female connector to a maleconnector, illustrating the state before the connection.

FIG. 47B is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a method forconnecting a conventional general-purpose female connector to a maleconnector, illustrating the state during the connection.

FIG. 47C is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a method forconnecting a conventional general-purpose female connector to a maleconnector, illustrating the state after the connection.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the above-mentioned female connector of the present invention, themovement limitation means may include a flange section provided at theend of the tube-shaped section of the adaptor on the opening side or ina vicinity thereof so as to protrude outward from the outer peripheralsurface of the tube-shaped section, and a flange holding sectionprovided on the handle so as to hold a surface of the flange section onan opposite side of the opening. Since the flange section is provided atthe end of the tube-shaped section on the opening side or in thevicinity thereof, the rigidity of an edge of the opening of thetube-shaped section is enhanced. Thus, when the tubular section of themale connector is inserted into the opening of the tube-shaped sectionof the adaptor, the tube-shaped section is unlikely to be deformed.Further, since the tubular section can be inserted into the tube-shapedsection while the flange section provided on the tube-shaped section isbeing held by the flange holding section of the handle, the tube-shapedsection can be prevented from being buckled and deformed. Thus,according to the preferred embodiment, the insertion operation of thetubular section into the adaptor is facilitated further.

In the above-mentioned female connector of the present invention, themovement limitation means further may limit a range in which the handleis capable of moving relative to the adaptor from the end of the adaptoron the opening side to the end thereof on the opposite side of theopening in the center axis direction of the adaptor. This allows thehandle to be held by the adaptor at all times, so that the handle can beprevented from moving to a position far away from the adaptor. Thus, theoperability for connecting the female connector to the male connector isenhanced, and further, the handle can be prevented from being damagedaccidentally in the production step of a transintestine nutrient set, aPEG tube, or the like.

In this case, it is preferred that the movement limitation meansincludes an annular groove in a circumferential direction, provided on asurface of one of the tube-shaped section and the handle opposed to theother, and a fitting section provided on the other of the tube-shapedsection and the handle so as to be fitted in the groove. This canprovide the movement limitation means easily at a low cost.

In this case, it is preferred that, when a width of the groove isdefined as W1 and a width of the fitting section is defined as W2 in thecenter axis direction of the adaptor, 1.0≦W1/W2≦1.5 is satisfied. WhenW1/W2 is smaller than the lower limit, it is difficult to fit thefitting section in the groove. When W1/W2 is larger the upper limit, themovable range of the handle relative to the adaptor is enlarged, so thatthe center axis of the handle is likely to tilt with respect to thecenter axis of the adaptor, which makes it necessary to perform acomplicated operation such as the correction of the direction of thetilting handle, and which may cause the fitting section to come of thegroove.

In the above-mentioned female connector of the present invention, themovement limitation means may include a bonding section that bonds theadaptor to the handle. This also can realize the movement limitationmeans limiting a range, in which the handle is capable of movingrelative to the adaptor in a direction of the center axis of theadaptor, easily at a low cost.

In the above-mentioned female connector of the present invention, it ispreferred that an inner peripheral surface of the insertion section ofthe adaptor has a tapered surface whose inner diameter increases towardthe opening. According to the above configuration, even when the shape,size, and the like of the tubular section of the male connector vary, atleast a part of the outer peripheral surface of the tubular section ofthe male connector and at least a part of the inner peripheral surfaceof the insertion section of the adaptor can be brought into tightcontact with each other. Therefore, the female connector can beconnected to various male connectors precisely without the leakage of aliquid-like substance.

In the above-mentioned female connector of the present invention, it ispreferred that an inner peripheral surface of the insertion section ofthe adaptor is provided with an annular protrusion in a circumferentialdirection. According to the above configuration, the annular protrusionof the insertion section can be deformed appropriately and brought intotight contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tubular section,depending upon the shape, size, and the like of the tubular section ofthe male connector. Thus, the female connector can be connected tovarious male connectors precisely without the leakage of a liquid-likesubstance.

In the above-mentioned female connector of the present invention, it ispreferred that an inner peripheral surface of the insertion section ofthe adaptor is provided with an annular difference in level in acircumferential direction, and the difference in level changes an innerdiameter of the insertion section in a stepped shape so that the innerdiameter of the insertion section on the opening side with respect tothe difference in level becomes larger than the inner diameter of theinsertion section on an opposite side of the opening with respect to thedifference in level. According to the above configuration, in the casewhere the tubular section of the male connector is thick, the tubularsection comes into tight contact with a portion of the insertion sectionof the adaptor on the opening side with respect to the difference inlevel, and in the case where the tubular section of the male connectoris thin, the tubular section comes into tight contact with a portion ofthe insertion section of the adaptor on an opposite side of the openingwith respect to the difference in level. Thus, the female connector canbe connected to the tubular section having various thicknesses preciselywithout the leakage of a liquid-like substance.

In the above-mentioned female connector of the present invention, it ispreferred that the adaptor is provided with a holding mechanism holdingthe handle. This can prevent the handle from moving to a position faraway from the adaptor. Thus, the operability for connecting the femaleconnector to the male connector is enhanced, and further, the handle canbe prevented from being damaged accidentally in the production step of atransintestine nutrient set, a PEG tube, or the like.

In the above, the holding mechanism may be a locking protrusion thatprotrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the tube-shapedsection of the adaptor so as to abut on an end of the handle on anopposite side of the male connector. Alternatively, the holdingmechanism may be a contact protrusion that protrudes outward from theouter peripheral surface of the tube-shaped section of the adaptor so asto abut on an inner peripheral surface of the handle. In any case, theholding mechanism can be realized with a simple configuration. Further,since the holding mechanism can be molded integrally with the adaptor,so that an adaptor with a holding mechanism can be created inexpensivelyand efficiently.

In the above-mentioned female connector of the present invention, a tubeconnected to an end of the adaptor on an opposite side of the openingmay be provided with a holding mechanism holding the handle.Alternatively, the handle may be provided with a holding mechanism so asto be held by a tube connected to an end of the adaptor on an oppositeside of the opening or the adaptor. In any case, the handle can beprevented from moving to a position far away from the adaptor. Thus, theoperability for connecting the female connector to the male connector isenhanced, and further, the handle can be prevented from being damagedaccidentally in the production step of a transintestine nutrient set, aPEG tube, or the like.

In the above-mentioned female connector of the present invention, it ispreferred that the handle has an annular shape surrounding the adaptorwithout any rift. This enhances the rigidity of the handle. Thus, theforce in a diameter direction applied to the handle when two fingersgrasp the handle for connecting the female connector to the maleconnector is unlikely to be transmitted. Therefore, the friction betweenthe adaptor and the tubular section of the male connector will notincrease. Thus, the connection operation of the female connector withrespect to the male connector becomes easy. Further, by bringing atleast a part of the inner peripheral surface of the handle into tightcontact with the outer peripheral surface of the insertion section whilethe tubular section of the male connector is being inserted in theinsertion section of the adaptor, the insertion section can be pinchedstrongly (squeezed) by the tubular section and the handle. Consequently,the connection strength between the tubular section and the adaptor isenhanced, and the adaptor can be prevented from coming off accidentallyto enhance stability.

In this case, an inner peripheral surface of the handle may have atapered surface whose inner diameter decreases toward the maleconnector. Alternatively, an inner peripheral surface of the handle mayhave a small-diameter section whose inner diameter is smaller than thatof the other sections. The outer peripheral surface of the tubularsection of the male connector has a taped surface that becomes thinnertoward the tip end side thereof in most cases. The inner peripheralsurface of the handle has a tapered surface whose taper direction (adirection in which the diameter decreases gradually) is opposite to thatof the outer peripheral surface of the tubular section and has asmall-diameter section, whereby a part of the inner peripheral surfaceof the handle locally can be brought into tight contact with the outerperipheral surface of the insertion section while the tubular section ofthe male connector is being inserted in the insertion section of theadaptor. As a result, the insertion section is pinched further stronglyby the tubular section and the handle, so that the connection strengthbetween the tubular section and the adaptor is enhanced further.

In the above-mentioned female connector of the present invention, thehandle may be provided with a slit connecting an upper end to a lowerend thereof so as to be discontinuous in a circumferential direction ofthe adaptor. According to the above configuration, the female connectorcan be connected even to a male connector having a thicker tubularsection. Further, if the width of the slit is set to be large, a femaleconnector, with respect to which the handle can be attached/detached, isobtained. Thus, in the case where the handle is not required or is notmatched with a male connector, the handle can be removed, andthereafter, be attached again, if required.

It is preferred that a hinge is formed at a position to which the slitof the handle is opposed, and two halves constituting the handle areconnected rotatably via the hinge. According to the above configuration,the female connector can be connected to even a male connector having athicker tubular section. Further, a female connector, with respect towhich the handle can be attached/detached, is obtained.

In this case, the handle may include diameter expansion limitation meansthat limits a diameter expansion of the handle. According to the aboveconfiguration, the insertion section can be pinched strongly to besqueezed by the tubular section and the handle.

In the above-mentioned female connector of the present invention, it ispreferred that the handle includes an engagement shape capable of beingengaged with the male connector. According to the above configuration,the adaptor connected to the tubular section of the male connector canbe prevented from coming off the tubular section accidentally.

In this case, it is preferred that the handle includes a brim sectionthat protrudes on the male connector side with respect to the movementlimitation means, and the engagement shape is provided at the brimsection. The engagement shape is provided at the brim section thatprotrudes on the male connector side with respect to the movementlimitation means, whereby the male connector and the female connectorcan be engaged with each other easily.

In this case, it is preferred that an inner peripheral surface of thebrim section opposed to a center axis of the handle includes anengagement wall that extends in a circumferential direction, a concaveportion provided on an opposite side of the engagement wall with respectto the male connector, and a convex portion provided adjacent to theconcave portion on either one side in the circumferential direction withrespect to the concave portion, and the engagement shape includes theengagement wall.

In this case, it is preferred that the female connector and thefollowing male connector are combined to constitute a connector.Specifically, the male connector has a platform in which the tubularsection protrudes from a center thereof, and an outer peripheral surfaceof the platform is provided with an engagement tab protruding in aradial direction with respect to a center axis. Then, the engagement tabis stored in the concave portion of the handle, and the engagement tabis engaged with the engagement wall of the handle.

According to the above configuration, the male connector and the handlecan be engaged with each other and the engagement can be cancelledmerely by rotating the handle slightly around the center axis withrespect to the male connector. Then, the adaptor connected to thetubular section of the male connector can be prevented from coming offthe tubular section accidentally by engaging the male connector and thehandle with each other. Further, since the handle is provided with aconvex portion adjacent to a concave portion, if the engagement tab ofthe male connector is inserted in the concave portion and further ismoved to abut on the convex portion, the engagement tab and theengagement wall can be engaged with each other precisely.

In the above configuration, it is preferred that the engagement tab ofthe male connector abuts on the convex portion of the handle to regulatea rotation of the handle with respect to the male connector. Accordingto the above configuration, the male connector and the handle can belocked together precisely by a simple operation of rotating the handlewith respect to the male connector until the rotation is restricted.

Further, it is preferred that the engagement tab is provided along asurface of the platform, on which the tubular section is provided. Thiscan reduce the size of the male connector and the handle in the centeraxis direction.

In the above-mentioned female connector of the present invention, it ispreferred that the handle includes a frame having the movementlimitation means, a pair of clips protruding on the male connector sidewith respect to the frame, and a pair of operation sections protrudingon an opposite side of the male connector with respect to the frame,wherein a surface on a side opposed to each of the pair of clips isprovided with an engagement tab, and when the frame is deformedelastically so as to narrow an interval between tip ends of the pair ofoperation sections, an interval between tip ends of the pair of clips iswidened.

In this case, it is preferred that the female connector and thefollowing male connector are combined to constitute a connector.Specifically, the male connector has a platform in which the tubularsection protrudes from a center thereof, and an engagement protrusionprotruding in a radial direction with respect to a center axis isprovided continuously over the outer peripheral surface of the platform.Then, the engagement tab of the handle is engaged with the engagementprotrusion.

According to the above configuration, the male connector and the handlecan be engaged with each other and the engagement can be cancelledmerely by moving the handle with respect to the male connector in thecenter axis direction. Then, the adaptor connected to the tubularsection of the male connector can be prevented from coming off thetubular section accidentally by engaging the male connector and thehandle with each other.

In the above configuration, it is preferred that the engagementprotrusion is provided along a surface of the platform, on which thetubular section is provided. This can reduce the size of the maleconnector and the handle in the center axis direction.

In the female connector of the present invention, it is preferred thatthe handle includes a female thread on the male connector side withrespect to the movement limitation means.

In this case, it is preferred that the female connector and thefollowing male connector are combined to constitute a connector.Specifically, the male connector has a platform in which the tubularsection protrudes from a center thereof, and a male thread is formed onan outer peripheral surface of the platform. Then, the female thread ofthe handle is screwed with the male thread.

According to the above configuration, the male connector and the handlecan be engaged with each other and the engagement can be cancelledmerely by rotating the handle around the center axis with respect to themale connector. Then, the adaptor connected to the tubular section ofthe male connector can be prevented from coming off the tubular sectionaccidentally by engaging the male connector and the handle with eachother.

It is preferred that the liquid-like substance is a transintestinenutrient in a transintestine nutrition therapy. In this case, forexample, in a transintestine nutrition therapy through a nasotrachealtube, the female connector can be provided at one end of atransintestine nutrient set, the other end of which is connected to anasotracheal tube inserted in the nose of a patient, and the maleconnector can be provided at a container storing the transintestinenutrient. Alternatively, in a transintestine nutrition therapy through aPEG tube, the female connector can be provided at one end of the PEGtube, the other end of which is inserted in the gastric fistula of apatient, and the male connector can be provided at a terminating end ofa transintestine nutrient set connected to a container storing thetransintestine nutrient.

A connector of the present invention includes a male connector having atubular section, out of which a liquid-like substance flows, and afemale connector to be connected to the male connector, and the femaleconnector is the above-mentioned female connector of the presentinvention.

In the above-mentioned connector of the present invention, it ispreferred that, when the tubular section of the male connector isinserted into the insertion section of the adaptor of the femaleconnector, the insertion section is squeezed by the tubular section andthe handle. According to the above configuration, the insertion sectionis pinched strongly by the tubular section and the handle, whereby theconnection strength between the tubular section and the adaptor isenhanced, so that the adaptor can be prevented from coming off thetubular section accidentally to enhance the safety.

In the above-mentioned connector of the present invention, it ispreferred that the male connector and the handle of the female connectorare provided with engagement shapes that are engaged with each other.According to the above configuration, the adaptor connected to thetubular section of the male connector can be prevented from coming offthe tubular section accidentally.

It is preferred that the connector is provided on a line connecting acontainer storing a transintestine nutrient in a transintestinenutrition therapy to a patient.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail by way ofpreferred embodiments in a transintestine nutrition therapy through anasotracheal tube. It should be noted that the following embodimentsmerely are examples obtained by embodying the present invention, and thepresent invention is not limited thereto.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of afemale connector 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention,and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view thereof. The female connector 100of Embodiment 1 includes an adaptor 110, and a handle 120 fitted on theadaptor 110. In FIG. 1B, alternate long and short dashed lines 111indicate a center axis of the adaptor 110, which is matched with acenter axis of the female connector 100 and a center axis of the handle120. The direction of the center axis 111 is defined as an up-and-downdirection, and an upper side on the drawing surfaces of FIGS. 1A and 1B(a side connected to a male connector described later) will be referredto as an “upper side” and a lower side on the drawing surfaces of thefigures will be referred to as a “lower side”.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of theadaptor 110 constituting the female connector 100 according toEmbodiment 1, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view thereof. The adaptor110 includes a tube-shaped section 112 in a hollow cylindrical shape,and an annular flange section 113 that is formed at an upper end of thetube-shaped section 112 and protrudes outward (in a direction orthogonalto the center axis 111) from an outer peripheral surface of thetube-shaped section 112. A tube 107 having flexibility is fused to alower end of the tube-shaped section 112. At an upper end of thetube-shaped section 112, an opening 119 a in which a tubular section ofthe male connector is inserted is formed. It is planned that the tubularsection of the male connector is inserted in the direction of the centeraxis 111. A region of the tube-shaped section 112 including an end onthe opening 119 a side will be referred to as an insertion section 119.The adaptor 110 is made of a material having flexibility and elasticity,and examples of the material include but are not particularly limited tothermoplastic resin such as natural rubber, synthetic rubber (e.g., PBD(polybutadiene)), PVC (polyvinyl chloride resin), ABS(acryl-butadiene-styrene copolymer), polyamide resin, and EVA(ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer), polyurethane resin, and the like.Due to the use of such a material, portions (including the insertionsection 119 and the flange section 113) other than the portion to whichthe tube 107 is fused have flexibility and elasticity.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of thehandle 120 constituting the female connector according to Embodiment 1of the present invention, and FIG. 3B is across-sectional view thereof.The handle 120 has a substantially tubular shape as a whole, and has alarge-diameter section 123 with an inner diameter larger than an outerdiameter of the flange section 113 at the upper end thereof and asmall-diameter section 122 with an inner diameter larger than the outerdiameter of the tube-shaped section 112 of the adaptor 110 and smallerthan the outer diameter of the flange section 113 on the lower side ofthe large-diameter section 123. Then, a flange holding section 121 isformed between the small-diameter section 122 and the large-diametersection 123. The flange holding section 121 has a surface orthogonal tothe center axis 111. The handle 120 is made of a material having arigidity and a hardness higher than those of the adaptor 120, andexamples of the material include but are not particularly limited topolypropylene resin, polycarbonate, polyacetal, PVC, and PBD.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the adaptor 110 is inserted in athrough-hole at the center of the handle 120, whereby the femaleconnector 100 of Embodiment 1 is configured. At this time, the handle120 surrounds the periphery of the insertion section 119 of the adaptor110. Further, the flange section 113 of the adaptor 110 is stored in thelarge-diameter section 123 of the handle 120, and a lower surface 114 ofthe flange 113 (a surface of the flange section 113 on a side oppositeto the surface opposed to the male connector) abuts on the flangeholding section 121 of the handle 120. As is apparent from the above,the flange section 113 and the flange holding section 121 function asmovement limitation means that sets a terminating end on an upper side(upper limit position) in a range in which the handle 120 can moverelative to the adaptor 110 in the direction of the center axis 111.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing a schematic configuration of anexample of a medical container 910 and a male connector 170.

The medical container 910 includes a pouch 920, and a port 930 forinjecting a liquid-like substance into the pouch 920 or taking out theliquid-like substance stored in the pouch 920.

The pouch 920 is a bag-shaped material obtained by laminating twoflexible sheets with the same size and joining them to each other in aseal region 921 at a peripheral edge by a method such as heat seal. Asthe sheets, composite sheets of two or more layers can be used, whichare made of materials different from each other selected from plasticmaterials such as polyethylene terephthalate, nylon, polypropylene, andpolyethylene. Further, a thin film of aluminum oxide, silica, or thelike may be formed on the sheet as a barrier layer. It is preferred thatat least one of the two sheets is transparent or semi-transparent sothat the amount of the liquid-like substance in the pouch 920 and thelike can be checked. In the vicinity of a position, in the seal region921 of the pouch 920, farthest from a position where the port 930 isattached, an opening 922 used for hanging the medical container 910 isformed.

The port 930 includes a cylindrical section 932 in which a through-hole931 for passing the liquid-like substance is formed, a joint section 935provided on an outer peripheral surface on one end side of thecylindrical section 932, and a male thread section 936 formed on theouter peripheral surface on the other end side of the cylindricalsection 932. The port 930 further includes a locking section 938 in asubstantially C-shape used for locking a medical tube having flexibilityor hanging the medical container 910. The port 930 is made of a materialrelatively harder than the pouch 920, such as polyethylene,polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethyleneterephthalate, anethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, a thermoplastic elastomer, orpolyacetal, and can be produced integrally, for example, by injectionmolding. The joint section 935 has a quadratic prism shape with a bottomsurface having a substantially diamond shape, and is joined to beintegrated with the pouch 920 by heat seal with the joint section 935interposed between the peripheral edges of the two sheets constitutingthe pouch 920.

The male connector 170 has a cap section 180 and a tubular section 172.A female thread (not shown) to be screwed with the male thread section936 of the port 930 is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the capsection 180. The tubular section 172 protrudes downward from the centeron the lower surface of the cap section 180. The outer peripheralsurface of the tubular section 172 of the present example has a taperedsurface (truncated cone surface) whose outer diameter increases towardthe cap 180. The tubular section 172 has a through-hole 172, out ofwhich the liquid-like substance in the pouch 920 flows. There is noparticular limit to the material for the male connector 170, and a knownmaterial used conventionally can be used. For example, polyolefin resinsuch as polypropylene or polyethylene, polycarbonate resin, or the likecan be used.

A method for connecting the female connector 100 to the male connector170 in Embodiment 1 will be described. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional viewshowing a state before the connection, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectionalview showing a state after the connection. As shown in FIG. 5A, theadaptor 110 is inserted into a through-hole at the center of the handle120, and the lower surface 114 of the flange section 113 of the adaptor110 is held by the flange holding section 121 of the handle 120. In thisstate, the outer peripheral surface of the handle 120 is grasped withtwo fingers, and the adaptor 110 is installed on the tubular section 172in a direction indicated by an arrow 102 so that the adaptor 110 coversthe outer peripheral surface of the tubular section 172 of the maleconnector 170.

The flange section 113 is formed at the upper end of the tube-shapedsection 112 of the adaptor 110, and hence, the rigidity of theperipheral edge of the opening 119 a of the tube-shaped section 112 isenhanced relatively. Thus, even if the tip end of the tubular section172 collides against the edge of the opening 119 a when the tubularsection 172 is inserted into the opening 119 a, the tube-shaped section112 is unlikely to be deformed. This enables the tubular section 172 tobe inserted into the opening 119 a easily.

Further, the insertion section 119 of the adaptor 110 has flexibilityand elasticity. Therefore, the insertion section 119 is deformed, e.g.,its diameter is enlarged in accordance with the shape of the outerperipheral surface of the tubular section 172 of the male connector 170,and the insertion section 119 comes into tight contact with the outerperipheral surface of the tubular section 172 due to the elasticrecovery force.

On the other hand, the handle 120 hardly is deformed due to its highrigidity even when pinched with two fingers. Therefore, the graspingforce applied to the handle 120 in a diameter direction by the twofingers hardly is transmitted to the insertion section 119 of theadaptor 110. Thus, unlike the conventional connection operation of therubber tube 902, the grasping force of the two fingers will not increasethe friction between the insertion section 119 of the adaptor 110 andthe tubular section 172.

Further, the force applied to the handle 120 in the direction indicatedby the arrow 102 by the two fingers is transmitted to the flange section113 of the adaptor 110 via the flange holding section 121 of the handle120. The flange section 113 is formed at a front end of the adaptor 120in the direction indicated by the arrow 102, and hence, the adaptor 110will not be buckled and deformed by the force.

As described above, in Embodiment 1, it is easy to move the adaptor 110in the direction indicated by the arrow 102 with respect to the tubularsection 172 of the male connector 170. Thus, as shown in FIG. 5B, themale connector 170 and the female connector 100 can be connected to eachother while the insertion section 119 of the adaptor 110 is in tightcontact with the outer peripheral surface of the tubular section 172 dueto the elastic recovery force thereof. Even if the shape, size (forexample, a taper angle, an outer diameter, etc.) and the like of theouter peripheral surface of the tubular section 172 of the maleconnector 170 vary depending upon manufacturers and specifications,since the insertion section 119 of the adaptor 110 is deformedelastically in accordance with the outer peripheral surface of thetubular section 172 of the male connector 170, the male connector 170and the female connector 100 can be connected to each other preciselywithout the leakage of the liquid-like substance.

It is preferred that the inner peripheral surface of the insertionsection 119 of the adaptor 110 is a tapered surface whose inner diameterincreases toward the upper end, as shown in FIG. 2B. According to thisconfiguration, even if the shape, size (for example, a taper angle, anouter diameter, etc.) and the like of the outer peripheral surface ofthe tubular section 172 of the male connector 170 vary depending uponmanufacturers and specifications, at least a part of the outerperipheral surface of the tubular section 172 can be brought into tightcontact with at least a part of the inner peripheral surface of theinsertion section 119, so that the male connector 170 and the femaleconnector 100 can be connected to each other precisely without theleakage of the liquid-like substance.

It is preferred that continuous annular protrusions 115 in acircumferential direction (i.e., along a circle formed by a planeorthogonal to the center axis 111 and the inner peripheral surface ofthe insertion section 119) are formed on the inner peripheral surface ofthe insertion section 119 of the adaptor 110, as shown in FIG. 2B.According to this configuration, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the adaptor110 is connected to the tubular section 172 of the male connector 170,the protrusions 115 come into tight contact with the outer peripheralsurface of the tubular section 172 easily to be deformed elastically.The degree of the deformation varies depending upon the shape, size (forexample, a taper angle, an outer diameter, etc.), and the like of thetubular section 172 of the male connector 170. Thus, the protrusions 115on the inner peripheral surface of the insertion section 119 can bedeformed appropriately to be brought into tight contact with the outerperipheral surface of the tubular section 172, depending upon the shape,size and the like of the outer peripheral surface of the tubular section172 of the male connector 170. It is preferred that the annularprotrusions 115 are provided at a plurality of positions in thedirection of the center axis 111, as shown in FIG. 2B. According to thisconfiguration, even if the shape, size, and the like of the outerperipheral surface of the tubular section 172 of the male connector 170vary depending upon manufacturers and specifications, at least one of aplurality of protrusions 115 can be brought into tight contact with theouter peripheral surface of the tubular section 172 to be deformed,depending upon the shape, size, and the like of the tubular section 172.Needless to say, one annular protrusion 115 may be used.

As shown in FIG. 2B, it is preferred that a difference in level 116,which changes the inner diameter of the inner peripheral surface of theinsertion section 119 of the adaptor 110 in a step shape so that theinner diameter becomes smaller at the lower end side compared with thatat the upper end side, is formed on the inner peripheral surface in anannular shape continuously in the circumferential direction. Accordingto this configuration, even if the tubular section 172 is thin, theadaptor 110 can be connected thereto. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, theouter peripheral surface of the thin tubular section 172 comes intotight contact with a portion 119 b with a smaller inner diameter on thelower end side of the difference in level 116 of the inner peripheralsurface of the insertion section 119 of the adaptor 110. This enlargesthe range of the shape, size, and the like of the outer peripheralsurface of the tubular section 172 of the male connector 170 that can beconnected to the female connector. It is preferred that a portion of theinner peripheral surface of the insertion section 119 on the lower endside of the difference in level 116 has a tapered surface whose innerdiameter increases toward the upper end, in the same way as in a portionon the upper end side of the difference in level 116. Further, acontinuous annular protrusion in the circumferential direction may beformed. A plurality of differences in level 116, which change the innerdiameter in a step shape, may be provided in the direction of the centeraxis 111.

The above embodiment is an example, and the present invention is notlimited thereto.

For example, the inner peripheral surface of the insertion section 119of the adaptor 110 may be a cylindrical surface with an inner diameterbeing constant in the direction of the center axis 111, instead of thetapered surface. Further, the inner peripheral surface of the insertionsection 119 of the adaptor 110 may not be provided with the protrusions115. Further, the difference in level 116 may not be formed on the innerperipheral surface of the insertion section 119 of the adaptor 110. Inany case, since the insertion section 119 of the adaptor 110 is deformedelastically depending upon the shape, size, and the like of the tubularsection 172 of the male connector 170, the male connector 170 and thefemale connector 100 can be connected to each other precisely withoutthe leakage of the liquid-like substance.

Further, the flange section 113 does not need to be provided at theupper end of the adaptor 110 in the direction of the center axis 111 asshown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The flange section 113 may be provided at aposition on a lower end side slightly away from the upper end of theadaptor 110 as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. As long as the flange section113 is formed in the vicinity of the upper end of the adaptor 110, theadaptor 110 can be installed on the tubular section 172 of the maleconnector 170 without being buckled and deformed. If a distance D1 fromthe upper end of the adaptor 110 to the flange 113 is too large, aportion from the upper end of the adaptor 110 to the flange 113 islikely to be budded and deformed when the adaptor 110 is installed onthe tubular section 172 of the male connector 170. The distance D1 canbe set appropriately considering the mechanical characteristics and thelike of the adaptor 110, and generally is set to be 10.0 mm or less,preferably 5.0 mm or less.

Further, it is not necessary that the flange section 113 is formed in anannular shape continuously in the circumferential direction of theadaptor 110, and the flange section 113 may be formed, for example, astwo flange sections 113 a, 113 b shown in FIG. 8 independently in thecircumferential direction. In the case where the flange section 113 isformed so as to be divided in the circumferential direction, the numberthereof is not limited to two as shown in FIG. 8. The flange section 113may be divided into three, four, or five or more.

In the female connector 100 shown in the above embodiment, when the handis taken off the handle 120 after the adaptor 110 of the femaleconnector 100 is connected to the tubular section 172 of the maleconnector 170 as shown in FIG. 5B, there is a possibility that thehandle 120 may drop downward. Since the tube 107 passes through athrough-hole at the center of the handle 120, the handle 120 will notdrop from the tube 107. However, when the handle 120 moves to a positionfar away from the adaptor 110, an operation becomes complicated, forexample, in the case where the adaptor 110 is attached/detachedrepeatedly with respect to the tubular section 172 of the male connector170. Further, in the course of production of a transintestine nutrientset, when the handle 120 moves to a position away from the adaptor 110,an external force is applied to the handle 120 accidentally whenhandling of the transintestine nutrient set or the like is performed,with the result that the handle 120 may be broken. Thus, it is preferredthat a mechanism holding the handle 120 at a desired position isprovided at the female connector.

For example, as the mechanism holding the handle 120, as shown in FIG.9A, a pair of locking protrusions 117 (in FIG. 9A, one of the lockingprotrusions 117 is not seen) protruding outward (in a directionorthogonal to the center axis 111) may be provided on the outerperipheral surface of the tube-shaped section 112 of the adaptor 110. Asshown in FIG. 9B, the locking protrusions 117 prevent the handle 120from dropping by abutting on the lower end of the handle 120. That is,the handle 120 has its movement in the direction of the center axis 111with respect to the adaptor 110 limited by the flange section 113 andthe pair of locking protrusions 117. The locking protrusions 117 can bemolded integrally with the adaptor 110, using the same material as thatfor the adaptor 110. Thus, the locking protrusions 117 can be deformedelastically and allow the handle 120 to move beyond the lockingprotrusions 117 from one side to the other side with respect to thelocking protrusions 117 in the direction of the center axis 111.Although the number of the locking protrusions 117 is two in the exampleshown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the present invention is not limited thereto,and one or at least three locking protrusions 117 may be used. In thecase where a plurality of locking protrusions 117 are provided, it ispreferred that they are placed at an equal angular interval with respectto the center axis 111. It is preferred that the plurality of lockingprotrusions 117 are provided at the same position in the direction ofthe center axis 111. Further, the locking protrusions 117 may becontinuous in an annular shape in the circumferential direction of thetube-shaped section 112.

Alternatively, as the mechanism holding the handle 120, a plurality ofcontact protrusions 118 protruding outward (in a direction orthogonal tothe center axis 111) may be provided on the outer peripheral surface ofthe adaptor 110, for example, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B. FIG. 10B isa cross-sectional view taken along a line 10B-10B in FIG. 10A. Theplurality of contact protrusions 118 in the present example are formedin a ridge shape in an up-and-down direction at an equal angularinterval with respect to the center axis 111 on the outer peripheralsurface of the tube-shaped section 112 of the adaptor 120. The contactprotrusions 118 can be molded integrally with the adaptor 110, using thesame material as that for the adaptor 110. The plurality of contactprotrusions 118 prevent the handle 120 from dropping by the staticfriction generated when the plurality of contact protrusions 118 comeinto contact with at least a part of the inner peripheral surface of thehandle 120 (in particular, the inner peripheral surface of thesmall-diameter section 122) and are slightly deformed elastically. Theshape and placement of the contact protrusions 118 are not limited tothose in the example shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B. For example, thecontact protrusions 118 may be any of protrusions in a ridge shapeextending in the circumferential direction, protrusions in a ridge shapeextending in a spiral shape, protrusions in a columnar shape or a coneshape, and the like.

Even in the case where the locking protrusions 117 shown in FIGS. 9A and9B, and the contact protrusions 118 shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B areprovided on the adaptor 110, the handle 120 can be moved to a positionaway from the adaptor 110. Thus, for example, in the case where it isdifficult to insert the tubular section 172 deeply into the insertionsection 119 since the outer diameter of the insertion section 119 isenlarged by the thick tubular section 172 and the outer peripheralsurface of the insertion section 19 bumps against the inner peripheralsurface of the handle 120, the handle 120 can be moved to a positionwhere the handle 120 does not become an obstacle for inserting thetubular section 172 into the insertion section 119.

As the mechanism holding the handle 120, for example, as shown in FIG.11, a holding member 150 may be attached to the tube 107 connected tothe lower end of the adaptor 110. The holding member 150 is made of amaterial capable of being deformed elastically, and has a substantiallydoughnut shape. Since the inner diameter of the holding member 150 isthe same as or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the tube 107,the holding member 150 can be fixed to an arbitrary position of the tube107 using friction. Since the outer diameter of the holding member 150is larger than the inner diameter of the handle 120, the handle 120cannot move beyond the holding member 150 to a position far away fromthe adaptor 110. The holding member 150 is provided with a slit 151 in aradial direction. The holding member 150 is deformed elastically so thattwo end faces of the holding member 150 sandwiching the slit 151separate from each other in the up-and-down direction, whereby theposition in the longitudinal direction of the tube 107 to which theholding member 150 is attached can be changed, and the holding member150 can be attached/detached with respect to the tube 107 by allowingthe tube 107 to pass through the slit 151. FIG. 11 shows an example, towhich the present invention is not limited. For example, the holdingmember may be configured in such a manner that the tube 107 issandwiched by two bar-shaped members placed in parallel. Further, theholding member may be bonded to the tube by a method such as adhesion orwelding. Further, the holding member having a configuration similar tothe above may be attached to the vicinity of the lower end of theadaptor 110, instead of the tube 107.

Alternatively, as the mechanism holding the handle 120, for example, asshown in FIG. 12, a holding member 160 may be attached to the handle120. The holding member 160 is composed of a band 161 to be mounted onthe tube 107, and a cord 162 connecting the band 161 to the handle 120.The band 161 has flexibility, and one end thereof is provided with aprotrusion 163 and the other end thereof is provided with a through-hole164. The distance between the protrusion 163 and the through-hole 164 issubstantially the same as or shorter than the outer peripheral length ofthe tube 107. The band 161 is wound around the outer peripheral surfaceof the tube 107, and the protrusion 163 is inserted into thethrough-hole 164 to engage them with each other, whereby the band 161 ismounted so as to tighten the outer peripheral surface of the tube 107.In this state, the handle 120 cannot move to a position far away fromthe band 161 beyond the length of the cord 162. The band 161 may bemounted in the vicinity of the lower end of the adaptor 110, instead ofthe tube 107, by adjusting the length of the band 161 appropriately.

The handle 120 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B has the large-diameter section123 so as to store the flange section 113 of the adaptor 110. However,the handle of the present invention only needs to have the flangeholding section 121 holding the lower surface 114 of the flange section113 and may not have the large-diameter section 123. For example, as ina handle 120A shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the inner peripheral surfaceand the outer peripheral surface may have a tapered surface without adifference in level in a step shape. In this case, the upper end face ofthe handle 120A functions as the flange holding section 121.

Further, the shape of the handle seen from above and below is notlimited to a circle. For example, the shape seen from above and belowmay be a rectangle as in a handle 120B shown in FIG. 14A, a triangle asin a handle 120C shown in FIG. 14B, or other shapes such as a polygon,an oval, and an ellipse. Further, when seen from above and below, it isnot necessary that the shape of the outer peripheral surface of thehandle is matched with the shape of the inner peripheral surfacethereof. For example, when seen from above and below, the innerperipheral surface surrounding the adaptor may be a circle and the outerperipheral surface may be a rectangle. Further, the inner peripheralsurface of the handle may be provided with a plurality of protrusions ina dome shape, a cylindrical surface shape, or the like, or unevenness ina gear shape in the circumferential direction, and further, the innerperipheral surface of the handle may be provided with a minute unevenpattern.

Further, the inner size of the inner peripheral surface of the handleand/or the outer size of the outer peripheral surface thereof do notneed to change in a tapered shape so that the upper end side is largerthan the lower end side, and may be constant in the direction in thecenter axis 111. Alternatively, the inner size of the inner peripheralsurface of the handle and/or the outer size of the outer peripheralsurface thereof may change in a tapered shape so that the upper end sideis smaller than the lower end side.

In particular, as in a handle 120D shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the innersize of the inner peripheral surface may change in a tapered shape sothat the upper end side is smaller than the lower end side. As shown inFIG. 5A, the outer peripheral surface of the tubular section 172 of themale connector generally has a tapered surface so that the outerdiameter decreases toward the tip end in most cases. When the handle120D shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B is used with respect to the tubularsection 172 of such a male connector, the inner diameter becomesminimum. An opening edge 131 on the upper end face locally comes intotight contact with the insertion section 119, in which the tubularsection 172 is inserted, to fasten the insertion section 119. That is, a“squeezing effect” is obtained, in which the local part of the insertionsection 119 is pinched strongly by the tubular section 172 on the innerside thereof and the opening edge 131 of the handle 120D on the outerside thereof. This enhances the connection strength between the tubularsection 172 of the male connector and the adaptor 110. Thus, in the caseof using the squeezing effect, the possibility that the adaptor 110comes off the tubular section 172 accidentally is reduced and safety isenhanced, compared with the case of not using the squeezing effect.

The shape of the handle exhibiting the above-mentioned squeezing effectis not limited to the handle 120D shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B. Forexample, as in a handle 120E shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, asmall-diameter section 132 whose inner size is smaller than that of theother portions may be formed at a position slightly away from the flangeholding section 121 on the inner peripheral surface of the handle 120E.The small-diameter section 132 is formed in an annular shapecontinuously in the circumferential direction. An edge 133 on the upperside of the small-diameter section 132 locally comes into tight contactwith the insertion section 119, in which the tubular section 172 isinserted, to tighten the insertion section 119, thereby exhibiting thesqueezing effect. In FIGS. 16A and 16B, the inner size of the innerperipheral surface of the small-diameter section 132 changes in atapered shape so that the upper side is smaller than the lower side.This enables a larger squeezing effect to be obtained. It should benoted that the inner size of the inner peripheral surface of thesmall-diameter section 132 may be constant in the up-and-down direction.

In FIGS. 15A and 15B, and 16A and 16B, the position where the handlecomes into tight contact with the outer peripheral surface of theinsertion section 119 in which the tubular section 172 is inserted hasan annular shape continuous in the circumferential direction. However,the present invention is not limited thereto, and the position where thehandle comes into tight contact with the outer peripheral surface of theinsertion section 119 may be discontinuous in the circumferentialdirection. For example, a plurality of protrusions in a dome shape, acylindrical surface shape, or the like, or unevenness in a gear shape isformed in the circumferential direction at a position of the innerperipheral surface of the handle which is to come into tight contactwith the outer peripheral surface of the insertion section 119, or theinner peripheral surface of the handle that comes into tight contactwith the outer peripheral surface of the insertion section 119 is formedin a polygonal or oval shape, whereby the position where the insertionsection 119 is squeezed may be made discontinuous.

Further, various uneven shapes or the like may be provided on the outerperipheral surface of the handle so as to enhance the grasping propertyand slip prevention for fingers.

Further, although the above-mentioned handles 120, 120A, 120B, 120C,120D, and 120E all have an annular shape surrounding the adaptor 110without a rift, the handle of the present invention is not limitedthereto. For example, as in a handle 120F shown in FIG. 17, a slit 125connecting the upper end to the lower end of the handle 120F may beformed so that the handle becomes discontinuous in the circumferentialdirection. The shape of the handle 120F seen from above and below is asubstantially C-shape. This enables, for example, the following effectto be obtained. When the adaptor 110 is installed on the thick tubularsection 172 with a handle, the insertion section 119 of the adaptor 110elongates in accordance with the outer diameter of the tubular section172 and the outer diameter of the insertion section 119 becomes large.If the handle is not provided with the slit 125, the upper limit of theouter diameter of the insertion section 119 is matched with the innerdiameter of the inner peripheral surface of the handle that abuts on theouter peripheral surface of the adaptor. Thus, the upper limit of theouter diameter of the tubular section 172 capable of being connected tothe adaptor 110 depends upon the inner diameter of the handle. Incontrast, in the case of the handle 120F provided with the slit 125, thehandle 120F is deformed elastically, whereby the inner diameter of theinner peripheral surface thereof can be enlarged. Thus, even in thehandles having the same inner diameter, if the handle 120F provided withthe slit 125 is used, the adaptor 110 can be connected to the thickertubular section 172, compared with the handle not provided with the slit125.

There is no particular limit to a width D2 of the slit 125 in thecircumferential direction. Tithe width D2 is set to be narrow so thatthe adaptor 110 and the tube 107 connected thereto cannot pass throughthe slit 125, the handle 120F can be prevented from dropping.Conversely, for example, the width D2 can be set so large that the tube107 can pass through the slit 125. By setting the width D2 as such, thehandle 120F can be removed after the adaptor 110 is connected to thetubular section 172 of the male connector 170, using the handle 120F,and thereafter, the handle 120F can be attached again. That is, a femaleconnector, with respect to which the handle 120F can beattached/detached, can be realized. For example, when the outer diameterof the insertion section 119 of the adaptor 110 is enlarged by the thicktubular section 172 of the male connector, and the elastic deformationof the handle 120F exceeds the upper limit of the allowable range, thehandle 120F may be removed from the adaptor 110. Further, in the casewhere the handle does not have an engagement shape (see Embodiments 2 to4 described later) adaptable to the male connector, the handle may beremoved after the adaptor 110 and the tubular section 172 are connectedto each other. Further, after that, in the case of connecting theadaptor to another tubular section, the handle can be fitted again.

A handle 120G shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B is provided with a slit 126connecting the upper end to the lower end of the handle 120G. A hinge127 capable of being deformed elastically is formed at a positionopposed to the slit 126 by setting the thickness relatively small. Morespecifically, the handle 120G has two halves 120G₁, 120G₂. The slit 126is formed between each one end of the halves 120G₁, 120G₂, and therespective other ends are connected to each other via the hinge 127. Onthe end faces of the two halves 120G₁, 120G₂ opposed to each other viathe slit 126, fitting shapes 128 a, 128 b to be fitted with each otherare formed. The two halves 120G₁, 120G₂ can be rotated in directionsindicated by arrows 129 a, 129 b with respect to the hinge 127 bydeforming the hinge 127 elastically, which allows the end faces of thetwo halves 120G₁, 120G₂ opposed to each other via the slit 126 toseparate from each other. The fitting shapes 128 a, 128 b prevent thepositional shift between the end faces of the two halves 120G₁, 120G₂when the end faces are brought into contact with each other. The handle120G enables the adaptor 110 to be connected to the thick tubularsection 172 in the same way as in the handle 120F. Further, a femaleconnector, with respect to which the handle 120G can beattached/detached, can be realized.

As shown in FIGS. 17, 18A, and 18B, when the handles 120F, 120G areprovided with the slits 125, 126, the rigidity of the handles 120F, 120Gdecreases, so that the above-mentioned squeezing effect by the handledecreases. In order to obtain a desired squeezing effect even when aslit is formed, diameter expansion limitation means 140 that limits theexpansion of the diameter of the handle may be provided as shown inFIGS. 19A and 19B. A handle 120G′ shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B is the sameas the handle 120G shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B except that the diameterexpansion limitation means 140 is provided. As shown in FIG. 19A, thediameter expansion limitation means 140 includes a band 141 made of amaterial that is unlikely to elongate (i.e., that has a very high springcoefficient) and having flexibility. One end of the band 141 is fixed tothe half 120G₁ with a fixing pin 142, and a locking pin 143 is attachedto the other end of the band 141. A locking hole 144 is formed in thehalf 120G₂. In the case where the squeezing effect of the handle 120G′is required, the locking pin 143 is inserted into the locking hole 144,as shown in FIG. 19B. In the case where the outer diameter of thetubular section 172 is large, the hinge 127 is deformed elastically sothat the two halves 120G₁, 120G₂ separate from each other and thediameter of the handle 120G′ expands; however, the band 141 placedacross the two halves 120G₁, 120G₂ limits the expansion of the diameterof the handle 120G′. This enables the squeezing effect to be obtained.It is preferred that the upper limit for the diameter of the handle120G′ to expand varies depending upon the outer diameter of the tubularsection 172, and for this purpose, for example, the length of the band141 is changed, or a plurality of locking holes 144 are formed atdifferent positions so as to change appropriately the locking hole 144into which the locking pin 143 is inserted. FIGS. 19A and 19B show anexample in which the diameter expansion limitation means 140 is providedat the handle 120G shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, however, similar diameterexpansion limitation means may be provided at the handle 120F shown inFIG. 17. The diameter expansion limitation means 140 shown in FIGS. 19Aand 19B is an example, and the present invention is not limited to thisconfiguration as long as the expansion of the diameter of the handle canbe limited.

The movement limitation means of the female connector of the presentinvention sets at least the terminating end on the upper side (upperlimit position) of the range in which the handle can move relative tothe adaptor in the direction of the center axis 111 of the adaptor. Asan example, in the above-mentioned female connector 100, the adaptor 110is provided with the flange section 113, and the handle 120 is providedwith the flange holding section 121 that abuts on the lower surface ofthe flange section 113 (FIG. 1).

However, the movement limitation means of the female connector of thepresent invention is not limited to the above, and further, the movementlimitation means may set the terminating end on the lower side (lowerlimit position) of the range in which the handle can move relative tothe adaptor in the direction of the center axis 111 of the adaptor.

FIG. 20A is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of afemale connector 100A according to Embodiment 1 having the movementlimitation means that sets the terminating ends on the upper and lowersides of the range in which the handle moves with respect to theadaptor, and FIG. 20B is a cross-sectional view thereof. FIG. 21A is aperspective view showing a schematic configuration of an adaptor 110Aconstituting the female connector 100A, and FIG. 21B is across-sectional view thereof. FIG. 22A is a perspective view showing aschematic configuration of a handle 120H constituting the femaleconnector 100A and FIG. 22B is a cross-sectional view thereof. In thesefigures, members having the same functions as those shown in FIGS. 1A,1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B are denoted with the same reference numerals asthose therein, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The adaptor 110A shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B is different from theadaptor 110 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B in that the flange section 113 isnot provided and an annular groove 190 is formed, which is placed on theouter peripheral surface of the tube-shaped section 112 in thecircumferential direction.

The handle 120H shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B is different from the handle120 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B in that the flange holding section 121 andthe large-diameter section 123 are not provided, and an annular fittingsection 191 is formed, which protrudes from the inner peripheral surfaceand is placed in the circumferential direction.

As shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, the fitting section 191 of the handle120H is fitted in the groove 190 of the adaptor 110A. As is apparentfrom them, in the female connector 100A, the groove 190 of the adaptor110A and the fitting section 191 of the handle 120H function as themovement limitation means that sets the terminating ends on the upperand lower sides (upper and lower limit positions) of the range in whichthe handle 120H can move relative to the adaptor 110A in the directionof the center axis 111.

Further, the fitting section 191 provided on the handle 120H is allowedto exhibit the above-mentioned squeezing effect.

When the width of the groove 190 in the direction of the center axis 111is defined to be W1 and the width of the fitting section 191 in thedirection of the center axis is defined to be W2, it is preferred that1.0≦W1/W2≦1.5 is satisfied. When the W1/W2 is smaller than the lowerlimit, it is difficult to fit the fitting section 191 of the handle 120Hin the groove 190 of the adaptor 110A. When W1/W2 is larger than theupper limit, the range in which the handle 120H can move relative to theadaptor 110A is enlarged. Therefore, the center axis of the handle 120Hbecomes likely to tilt with respect to the center axis 111 of theadaptor 110A, which makes it necessary to perform a complicatedoperation such as the correction of the direction of the tilting handle120H or causes the fitting section 191 to come off the groove 190.

In the above-mentioned female connector 100A, a part of the innerperipheral surface of the handle 120H in the direction of the centeraxis 111 is protruded to form the fitting section 191; however, theentire inner peripheral surface of the handle 120H in the direction ofthe center axis 111 may be used as a fitting section. More specifically,the entire handle in the direction of the center axis 111 may bedesigned so as to be fitted in the groove 190 formed in the adaptor110A.

In the above-mentioned female connector 100A, the groove 190 is providedon the surface of the adaptor 110A opposed to the handle 120H, and thefitting section 191 is provided on the surface of the handle 120Hopposed to the adaptor 110A. However, a groove may be provided on thesurface of the handle 120H opposed to the adaptor 110A, and a fittingsection to be fitted in the groove may be provided on the surface of theadaptor 110A opposed to the handle 120H.

FIG. 23A is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of afemale connector 100B according to Embodiment 1 having the movementlimitation means that sets the terminating ends on the upper and lowersides of the range in which the handle moves with respect to theadaptor, and FIG. 23B is a cross-sectional view thereof. The femaleconnector 100B includes an adaptor 110B and a handle 120I fitted on theadaptor 110B. In FIGS. 23A and 23B, members having the same functions asthose in FIGS. 1A and 1B are denoted with the same reference numerals asthose therein, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The female connector 100B shown in FIGS. 23A and 23B is different fromthe female connector 100 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B in that the adaptor110B does not have the flange section 113, the handle 120I does not havethe flange holding section 121 and the large-diameter section 123, andthe adaptor 110B and the handle 120I are bonded to each other by abonding section 195. In the female connector 100B, the bonding section195 functions as the movement limitation means that sets the terminatingends on the upper and lower sides (upper and lower limit positions) ofthe range in which the handle 120I can move relative to the adaptor 110Bin the direction of the center axis 111.

A method for bonding the adaptor 110B and the handle 120I to each otherby the bonding section 195 is not particularly limited, and for example,coating of an adhesive or welding can be used.

Various modified examples as described above can be applied to theabove-mentioned female connectors 100A, 100B. The following should benoted: the movement range of the handles 120H, 120I with respect to theadaptors 110A, 110B is limited, so that the female connector having suchmovement limitation means does not require the mechanisms for holding ahandle at a predetermined position shown in FIGS. 9 to 12.

Embodiment 2

In Embodiment 2, a female connector in which an engagement shape forpreventing an adaptor connected to a tubular section of a male connectorfrom coming off the tubular section accidentally is provided on ahandle, and a male connector provided with an engagement shapecorresponding thereto will be described.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a male connector 270 according toEmbodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 25A is a front view of themale connector 270, and FIG. 25B is a bottom view thereof. In FIG. 24,alternate long and short dashed lines 271 indicate a center axis of themale connector 270. The direction of the center axis 271 is defined asan up-and-down direction, and an upper side on the drawing surface ofFIG. 24 (a side connected to the port 930 of the medical container 910)will be referred to as an “upper side”, and a lower side on the drawingsurface of the figure (a side to which a female connector is connected)will be referred to as a “lower side”.

On the inner peripheral surface of a cap section 280, a female thread281 (see FIG. 30) to be screwed with the male thread section 936 (seeFIG. 4) of the port 930 of the medical container 910 is formed. On thelower surface of the cap section 280, a circular region protrudesdownward by a height HM21 from the center compared with an annularregion 283 in the surrounding of the circular region, whereby a platform282 is provided. A tubular section 272 protruding downward is providedat the center of the platform 282. The outer peripheral surface of thetubular section 272 of the present example has a tapered surface(truncated cone surface) with an outer diameter increasing toward thecap 280. In the tubular section 272, a through-hole 273, out of whichthe liquid-like substance in the pouch 920 flows, is formed.

On the outer peripheral surface of the platform 282, a pair ofengagement tabs 284 are formed so as to protrude in a radial directionwith respect to the center axis 271 at symmetrical positions withrespect to the center axis 271. The engagement tab 284 includes anengagement chip 285 extending substantially in a horizontal direction,and a lock protrusion 286 formed so as to protrude upward at one end ofthe engagement chip 285. The lower surface of the platform 282 is a flatsurface, and is matched with the lower surfaces of the pair ofengagement tabs 284. The shapes of the pair of engagement tabs 284 aresymmetrical with respect to the center axis 271. The outer diameter ofthe platform 282 is DM21, and the distance between tops of the pair ofengagement tabs 284 is DM22 (DM22>DM21).

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a handle 220 constituting the femaleconnector according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 27A is a plan view of thehandle 220, FIG. 27B is a front view thereof, and FIG. 27C is a rightside view thereof. FIG. 28A is a cross-sectional view taken along a line28A-28A in FIG. 27B, and FIG. 28B is a cross-sectional view taken alonga line 28B-28B in FIG. 27C. Since an adaptor constituting the femaleconnector according to Embodiment 2 together with the handle 220 is thesame as that described in Embodiment 1, the description thereof will beomitted. In FIGS. 28A and 28B, alternate long and short dashed lines 111indicate the center axis of the adaptor described in Embodiment 1 to beinserted into the handle 220, and the center axis of the adaptor ismatched with the center axis of the female connector of Embodiment 2 andthe center axis of the handle 220. As described in Embodiment 1, thedirection of the center axis 111 is defined as an up-and-down direction,and a side connected to the male connector will be referred to as an“upper side”, and an opposite side thereof will be referred to as a“lower side”.

The handle 220 has a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole, and hasa large-diameter section 223 having an inner diameter larger than theouter diameter of the flange section 113 of the adaptor 110 in thevicinity of the upper end thereof, and a small-diameter section 222having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of thetube-shaped section 112 of the adaptor 110 and smaller than the outerdiameter of the flange section 113 on the lower side of thelarge-diameter section 223. Then, a flange holding section 221 is formedbetween the small-diameter section 222 and the large-diameter section223. A grasping section 224 in a substantially cylindrical shape isprovided on the lower side of the small-diameter section 222.

A pair of brim sections 230 are formed around and on the upper side ofthe large-diameter section 223. The brim section 230 includes anarc-shaped wall 231 substantially along the cylindrical surface with thecenter axis 111 being a center axis, and a bridge section 232 thatextends in a direction perpendicular to the center axis 111 and connectsthe lower end of the arc-shaped wall 231 to the upper end of thelarge-diameter section 223. The arc-shaped wall 231 roughly isclassified into three regions: a passage region 233, an engagementregion 234, and a sliding region 235, in accordance with the differencein shape of the inner peripheral surface opposed to the center axis 111.The inner peripheral surface of the passage region 233 is a part of thecylindrical surface with a diameter DF21, and the inner peripheralsurface of the sliding region 235 is a part of the cylindrical surfacewith a diameter DF22 (DF22<DF21). The engagement region 234 between thepassage region 233 and the sliding region 235 includes an engagementwall 236 at an upper end, which extends in the circumferential directionso as to connect the upper end of the passage region 233 to the upperend of the sliding region 235. A region between the engagement wall 236and the bridge section 232 is dented in a concave shape, and in thepresent example, a through-hole 237 opened in the radial direction isformed. The inner peripheral surface of the engagement wall 236 opposedto the center axis 111 is a part of the cylindrical surface with adiameter DF22. Thus, when seen from the center axis 111, thethrough-hole 237 provided on the bridge section 232 side with respect tothe engagement wall 236 is recessed relatively to form a concaveportion, and the sliding region 235 adjacent to the through-hole 237 inthe circumferential direction protrudes relative to the through-hole 237to form a convex portion. On the lower surface (the surface on thebridge section 232 side) of an end of the engagement wall 236 on thesliding region 235 side is provided with a lock concave portion 238dented in a concave shape. The height of the arc-shaped wall 231 fromthe upper surface of the bridge section 232 in the direction of thecenter axis 111 is HF21. The pair of brim sections 230 are symmetricalwith respect to the center axis 111. A distance HF22 in the direction ofthe center axis 111 between the upper surface of the flange holdingsection 221 and the upper surface of the bridge section 232 issubstantially the same as or slightly larger than the distance in thedirection of the center axis 111 from the upper end of the adaptor 110to the lower surface 114 of the flange section 113.

The inner size DF21 between a pair of opposed passage regions 233 islarger than the distance DM22 between the tops of the pair of engagementtabs 284 of the male connector 270 (DM22<DF21). The inner size DF22between a pair of opposed sliding regions 235 is smaller than thedistance DM22 between the tops of the pair of engagement tabs 284 of themale connector 270 and larger than the outer diameter DM21 of theplatform 282 (DM21<DF22<DM22). The height HF21 of the arc-shaped wall231 is substantially the same as the height HM21 of the platform 282 ofthe male connector 270 (HF21≈HM21).

A method for connecting the female connector to the male connector 270in Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 29. In FIG. 29,a medical container including a port, to which the male connector 270 isconnected, is omitted. The adaptor 110 is inserted into the handle 220,and the lower surface 114 of the flange section 113 of the adaptor 110is supported by the flange holding section 221 of the handle 220. Inthis state, the outer peripheral surface of the grasping section 224 ofthe handle 220 is grasped with two fingers, and the adaptor 110 isinstalled on the tubular section 272 in the direction indicated by anarrow 202 so that the adaptor 110 covers the outer peripheral surface ofthe tubular section 272 of the male connector 270. In the same way as inEmbodiment 1, the insertion section 119 of the adaptor 110 hasflexibility and elasticity, so that the insertion section 119 isdeformed in accordance with the shape of the outer peripheral surface ofthe tubular section 272 of the male connector 270 and comes into tightcontact with the outer peripheral surface of the tubular section 272 dueto the elastic recovery force. On the other hand, the handle 220 has ahigh rigidity, so that the grasping force applied to the handle 220 in adiameter direction thereof by the two fingers will not increase thefriction between the insertion section 119 of the adaptor 110 and thetubular section 272. Further, the flange section 113 is formed at afront end of the adaptor 110 in the direction indicated by the arrow202, so that the adaptor 110 will not be buckled and deformed due to theforce applied to the handle 220 in the direction indicated by the arrow202 by the two fingers.

After the tubular section 272 of the male connector 270 is inserteddeeply into the insertion section 119 of the adaptor 110, the handle 220further is pushed in the direction indicated by the arrow 202 withrespect to the male connector 270. The flange section 113 of the adaptor110 is deformed elastically in the direction indicated by the arrow 202by the flange holding section 221 of the handle 220, and the outerperipheral surface of the platform 282 of the male connector 270 isfitted between the pair of sliding regions 235 of the arc-shaped walls231 of the handle 220. Finally, the upper end faces of the arc-shapedwalls of the handle 220 abut on the annular region 283 of the maleconnector 270, and the upper surfaces of the bridge sections 232 of thehandle 220 abut on the lower surface of the platform 282 of the maleconnector 270. In this state, the handle 220 is rotated clockwise aroundthe center axis 111 with respect to the male connector 270. The pair ofengagement tabs 284 formed on the outer peripheral surface of theplatform 282 of the male connector 270 pass through the pair of passageregions 233 of the arc-shaped walls 231 of the handle 220 to reach theengagement regions 234. The inner size DF22 between the pair of slidingregions 235 is smaller than the distance DM22 between the tops of thepair of engagement tabs 284 of the male connector 270. Therefore, afterthe engagement tabs 284 abut on the ends of the sliding regions 235 onthe engagement region 234 side, the handle 220 cannot be rotated anymore with respect to the male connector 270. When the hand is taken offthe handle 220 in this state, the handle 220 moves slightly in thedirection opposite to the arrow 202 due to the elastic recovery force ofthe flange section 113 of the adaptor 111 that is deformed elasticallyin the direction indicated by the arrow 202, the lock protrusions 286 ofthe engagement tabs 284 of the male connector 270 are fitted in the lockconcave portions 238 of the handle 220, and the engagement chips 285 ofthe engagement tabs 284 of the male connector 270 and the engagementwalls 236 of the handle 220 are engaged with each other. Thus, thehandle 220 and the male connector 270 are engaged with each other,whereby the adaptor 110 can be prevented from coming off the tubularsection 272. FIG. 30 shows a state in which the female connector and themale connector 270 are connected to each other. Since the lockprotrusions 286 of the engagement tabs 284 of the male connector 270 arefitted in the lock concave portions 238 of the handle 220, even when asmall impact such as the touch of a hand is applied, the engagementstate between the engagement chips 285 of the engagement tabs 284 of themale connector 270 and the engagement walls 236 of the handle 220 willnot be broken.

The female connector can be separated from the male connector 270 byperforming the above operation in an opposite way. That is, while thehandle 220 is being pressed in the direction indicated by the arrow 202with respect to the male connector 270, the handle 220 is rotatedcounterclockwise around the center axis 111 with respect to the maleconnector 270. Consequently, the lock protrusions 286 of the engagementtabs 284 of the male connector 270 come off the lock concave portions238 of the handle 220, and the engagement tabs 284 of the male connector270 move into the passage regions 233 of the handle 220. The handle 220moves slightly in the direction opposite to the arrow 202 clue to theelastic recovery force of the flange section 113 of the adaptor 110 thatis deformed elastically in the direction indicated by the arrow 202,whereby the engagement between the engagement chips 285 of theengagement tabs 284 and the engagement walls 236 of the engagementregions 234 is cancelled. Then, the adaptor 110 is pulled out from thetubular section 272 of the male connector 270.

If the shape of the periphery of the engagement tab 284 including theplatform 282, provided on the male connector 270, corresponds to theshape of the brim section 230 provided on the handle 220, the handle 220and the male connector 270 can be engaged with each other. That is, evenif the shape, size, and the like of the tubular section 272 of the maleconnector 270 vary depending upon the manufacturers and specifications,the handle 220 and the male connector 270 can be engaged with eachother.

On the other hand, in Embodiment 2, in the same way as in Embodiment 1,even if the shape, size (for example, a taper angle, an outer diameter,etc.), and the like of the outer peripheral surface of the tubularsection 272 of the male connector 270 vary depending upon themanufacturers and specifications, the insertion section 119 of theadaptor 110 is deformed elastically in accordance with the outerperipheral surface of the tubular section 272 of the male connector 270,so that the male connector 270 and the female connector 200 can beconnected to each other precisely without the leakage of the liquid-likesubstance.

Thus, in the case where the male connector has the engagement tab 284corresponding to the shape of the brim section 230 of the handle 220 inEmbodiment 2, the adaptor 110 can be connected to the tubular section ofthe male connector, using the handle 220, and further, the handle 220and the male connector can be engaged with each other.

On the other hand, in the case where the male connector does not havethe engagement tab 284 corresponding to the shape of the brim section230 of the handle 220 in Embodiment 2, the handle 220 is used only forconnecting the adaptor 110 to the tubular section of the male connector.In this case, it is preferred that the mechanism (see FIGS. 9A, 9B, 10A,and 10B) holding the handle 220, described in Embodiment 1, is providedon the adaptor 110 so that the handle 220 does not move to a positionfar away from the adaptor 110 after the adaptor 110 is connected to thetubular section of the male connector.

According to Embodiment 2, the handle 220 and the male connector 270 canbe engaged with each other, and the engagement can be cancelled merelyby rotating the handle 220 around the center axis 111 with respect tothe male connector 270. Further, the rotation angle required at thistime is small, i.e., less than 180° in the above example, and thus, theoperability is satisfactory.

Further, the height HF21 of the arc-shaped wall 231 is substantially thesame as the height HM21 of the platform 282 of the male connector 270(HF21≈HM21). Thus, when the upper end face of the arc-shaped wall 231 ofthe handle 220 abuts on the annular region 283 of the male connector270, the upper surface of the bridge section 232 of the handle 220simultaneously abuts on the lower surface of the platform 282 of themale connector 270. Consequently, the handle 220 and the male connector270 can be engaged with each other precisely. Further, after theengagement, the gap between the arc-shaped wall 231 of the handle 220and the annular region 283 of the male connector 270 can be reduced, sothat the connecting portion between the adaptor 110 and the tubularsection 272 of the male connector 270 can be substantially covered withthe arc-shaped wall 231, which is advantageous from the sanitary pointof view.

Further, since the lower surface of the platform 282 of the maleconnector 270 is matched with the lower surface of the engagement tab284 (that is, the engagement tab 284 is provided along the lower surfaceof the platform 282), the height HF21 of the platform 282 of the maleconnector 270 can be reduced. Thus, the height HF21 of the arc-shapedwall 231 of the handle 220 also can be reduced. This can reduce the sizein an up-and-down direction of the male connector 270 and the handle220.

The above-mentioned embodiment is an example, and the present inventionis not limited thereto.

For example, in the above embodiment, although the region between theengagement wall 236 and the bridge section 232 of the engagement region234 of the handle 220 is the through-hole 237, the through-hole 237 maybe dosed with a wall. This enables the connecting portion between theadaptor 110 and the tubular section 272 of the male connector 270 to becovered with the arc-shaped wall 231 of the brim section 230, which isadvantageous from the sanitary point of view. At this time, the innerperipheral surface of the wall needs to be recessed from the innerperipheral surface of the engagement wall 236 so as to store theengagement tab 284, and for example, the inner peripheral surface of thewall may be a part of the cylindrical surface with the diameter DF21that is the same as that of the inner peripheral surface of the passageregion 233.

Although the height HF21 of the arc-shaped wall 231 and the height HM21of the platform 282 of the male connector 270 are substantially the same(HF21≈HM21), both the heights may be different from each other.

Further, the lower surface of the platform 282 of the male connector 270and the lower surface of the engagement tab 284 may not be matched witheach other.

Although the lock concave portion 238 is provided at an end of theengagement wall 236 on the sliding region 235 side, the lock concaveportion 238 only needs to be provided on the engagement wall 236 withoutbeing limited to the above position. Similarly, the lock protrusion 286is provided at one end of the engagement chip 285; however, the lockprotrusion 286 only needs to be provided at the engagement chip 285without being limited to the above position.

Although the platform 282 of the male connector 270 has two engagementtabs 284, the number of the engagement tabs 284 may be three or more,instead of being limited to two. It is preferred that the plurality ofengagement tabs 284 are placed at an equal angular interval with respectto the center axis 271 of the male connector 270, irrespective of thenumber of the engagement tabs 284. Similarly, the number of the brimsections 230 of the handle 220 may be three or more, instead of beinglimited to two.

Further, in the above embodiment, although the two brim sections 230 areformed discontinuously around the handle 220, the brim sections 230 maybe formed in an annular shape continuously around the handle 220. Evenin this case, the engagement region 234 is placed considering thearrangement of the engagement tab 284 of the male connector 270, and thepassage region 233 and the sliding region 235 are placed with theengagement region 234 interposed therebetween. The operation of engagingthe handle 220 and the male connector 270 with each other is facilitatedby enlarging the length of the passage region 233 in the circumferentialdirection. The connecting portion between the adaptor 110 and thetubular section 272 of the male connector 270 can be coveredsubstantially with the arc-shaped wall 231 of the brim section 230 byforming the brim section 230 in an annular shape, which is advantageousfrom a sanitary point of view.

In the present embodiment, the description of Embodiment 1 can beadapted as it is or with obvious alterations added theretoappropriately.

Embodiment 3

In Embodiment 3, a female connector in which an engagement shape forpreventing an adaptor connected to a tubular section of a male connectorfrom coming off the tubular section accidentally is provided on ahandle, and a male connector provided with an engagement shapecorresponding thereto will be described.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a male connector 370 according toEmbodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 32A is a front view of themale connector 370, and FIG. 32B is a bottom view thereof. In FIG. 31,alternate long and short dashed lines 371 indicate a center axis of themale connector 370. The direction of the center axis 371 is defined asan up-and-down direction, and an upper side on the drawing surface ofFIG. 32 (a side connected to the port 930 of the medical container 910)will be referred to as an “upper side” and a lower side on the drawingsurface of the figure (a side connected to a female connector) will bereferred to as a “lower side”.

On the inner peripheral surface of a cap section 380, a female thread381 to be screwed with the male thread section 936 (see FIG. 4) of theport 930 of the medical container 910 is formed (see FIG. 37). On thelower surface of the cap section 380, a circular region protrudesdownward from the center compared with an annular region 383 in thesurrounding of the circular region, whereby a platform 382 is provided.A tubular section 372 protruding downward is provided at the center ofthe platform 382. The outer peripheral surface of the tubular section372 of the present example has a tapered surface (truncated conesurface) with an outer diameter increasing toward the cap 380. In thetubular section 372, a through-hole 373, out of which the liquid-likesubstance in the pouch 920 flows, is formed.

On the outer peripheral surface of the platform 382, an engagementprotrusion 384 protruding in the radial direction with respect to thecenter axis 371 is formed in an annular shape continuously over theentire periphery of the platform 382. The lower surface of the platform382 is a flat surface, and is matched with the lower surface of theengagement protrusion 384. An undercut section 385 with an outerdiameter smaller than that of the engagement protrusion 384 is formedbetween the engagement protrusion 384 and the annular region 383.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a handle 320 constituting the femaleconnector according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 34Ais a plan view of the handle 320, and FIG. 34B is a front view thereof.FIG. 35A is a cross-sectional view taken along a line 35A-35A in FIG.34A, and FIG. 35B is a cross-sectional view taken along a line 35B-35Bin FIG. 34B. Since an adaptor constituting the female connectoraccording to Embodiment 3 together with the handle 320 is the same asthat described in Embodiment 1, the description thereof will be omitted.In FIGS. 35A and 35B, alternate long and short dashed lines 111 indicatethe center axis of the adaptor described in Embodiment 1 to be insertedinto the handle 320, and the center axis of the adaptor is matched withthe center axis of the female connector of Embodiment 3 and the centeraxis of the handle 320. As described in Embodiment 1, the direction ofthe center axis 111 is defined as an up-and-down direction, and a sideconnected to the male connector will be referred to as an “upper side”,and an opposite side thereof will be referred to as a “lower side”.

The handle 320 includes a frame 330 in an elliptical shape, at thecenter of which a through-hole 322 is formed. The inner diameter of thethrough-hole 322 is larger than the outer diameter of the tube-shapedsection 112 of the adaptor 110 and is smaller than the outer diameter ofthe flange section 113. A pair of flange holding sections 321 bulgedupward are formed in the vicinity of the through-hole 322 on the uppersurface of the frame 330. The pair of flange holding sections 321 areformed in an arc shape so as to surround the through-hole 322 on bothsides in a major axis direction (a right-and-left direction on thedrawing surface of FIG. 34A) of the frame 330 with respect to thethrough-hole 322. The diameter of the arc constituting the pair offlange holding sections 321 is smaller than the outer diameter of theflange section 113 of the adaptor 110.

A pair of clips 340 protruding upward and a pair of operation sections331 protruding downward are formed at both ends in the major axisdirection of the frame 330.

In each of the pair of clips 340, a pair of engagement tabs 341protruding toward the clip 340 on the partner side and a pair ofabutment surfaces 343 directed upward are formed on a surface (an innerperipheral surface) on the side opposed to the clip 340 on the partnerside. The engagement tab 341 is formed at the upper end of the clip 340or in the vicinity thereof. On the upper surface of the engagement tab341, an inclined surface 342 inclined with respect to the center axis111 is formed. The abutment surface 343 is positioned slightly below theengagement tab 341.

A method for connecting the female connector of Embodiment 3 to the maleconnector 370 will be described with reference to FIG. 36. In FIG. 36, amedical container including a port, to which the male connector 370 isconnected, is not shown. The adaptor 110 is inserted into thethrough-hole 322 of the handle 320, and the lower surface 114 of theflange section 113 of the adaptor 110 is supported by the flange holdingsections 321 of the handle 320. In this state, the outer peripheralsurface of the frame 330 of the handle 320 is grasped with two fingers,and the adaptor 110 is installed on the tubular section 372 in thedirection indicated by an arrow 302 so that the adaptor 110 covers theouter peripheral surface of the tubular section 372 of the maleconnector 370. In the same way as in Embodiment 1, the insertion section119 of the adaptor 110 has flexibility and elasticity, so that theinsertion section 119 is deformed in accordance with the shape of theouter peripheral surface of the tubular section 372 of the maleconnector 370 and comes into tight contact with the outer peripheralsurface of the tubular section 372 due to the elastic recovery force. Onthe other hand, the handle 320 has a high rigidity, so that the graspingforce applied to the handle 320 in a diameter direction thereof by thetwo fingers will not increase the friction between the insertion section119 of the adaptor 110 and the tubular section 372. Further, the flangesection 113 is formed at a front end of the adaptor 110 in the directionindicated by the arrow 302, so that the adaptor 110 will not be buckledand deformed due to the force applied to the handle 320 in the directionindicated by the arrow 302 by the two fingers.

After the tubular section 372 of the male connector 370 is inserteddeeply into the insertion section 119 of the adaptor 110, the handle 320further is pushed in the direction indicated by the arrow 302 withrespect to the male connector 370. The flange section 113 of the adaptor110 is deformed elastically in the direction indicated by the arrow 302by the flange holding sections 321 of the handle 320. Then, the inclinedsurfaces 342 formed at the tip end of each clip 340 of the handle 320abut on the engagement protrusion 384 of the male connector 370, and theframe 330 is deformed elastically in a direction in which the upper endsof the pair of clips 340 separate from each other. Further, when thehandle 320 is pushed in the direction indicated by the arrow 302 withrespect to the male connector 370, the engagement tabs 341 of the clips340 overpass the engagement protrusion 384 of the male connector 370.Then, the frame 330 is recovered elastically, and the engagement tabs341 of the clips 340 are fitted in the undercut section 385 of the maleconnector 370. Simultaneously, the upper end faces of the clips 340 abuton the annular region 383 of the male connector 370, and the abutmentsurfaces 343 of the clips 340 abut on the lower surface of the platform382 of the male connector 370. In this state, when the hand is taken offthe handle 320, the handle 320 moves slightly in the direction oppositeto the arrow 302 due to the elastic recovery force of the flange section113 of the adaptor 111 that is deformed elastically in the directionindicated by the arrow 302, and the engagement tabs 341 of the clips 340and the engagement protrusion 384 of the male connector 370 are engagedwith each other. Thus, the handle 320 and the male connector 370 areengaged with each other, whereby the adaptor 110 can be prevented fromcoming off the tubular section 372. FIG. 37 shows a state in which thefemale connector and the male connector 370 are connected to each other.The engagement state between the engagement tabs 341 of the clips 340and the engagement protrusion 384 of the male connector 370 cannot becancelled unless the frame 330 is deformed elastically in a direction inwhich the upper ends of the pair of clips 340 separate from each other.Therefore, even when a small impact such as the touch of a hand isapplied, the above engagement state will not be cancelled.

The female connector can be separated from the male connector 370 byperforming the above operation in an opposite way. That is, the pair ofoperation sections 331 of the handle 320 are pinched with two fingers,and the frame 330 is deformed elastically in a direction in which theupper ends of the pair of clips 340 separate from each other.Consequently, the engagement between the engagement tabs 341 and theengagement protrusion 384 is cancelled, and the handle 320 moves in thedirection opposite to the arrow 302 due to the elastic recovery force ofthe flange section 113 of the adaptor 110 that is deformed elasticallyin the direction indicated by the arrow 302. Then, the adaptor 110 ispulled out from the tubular section 372 of the male connector 370.

If the shape of the periphery of the engagement protrusion 384 includingthe platform 382, provided on the male connector 370, corresponds to theshape of the clips 340 provided on the handle 320, the handle 320 andthe male connector 370 can be engaged with each other. That is, even ifthe shape, size, and the like of the tubular section 372 of the maleconnector 370 vary depending upon the manufacturers and specifications,the handle 320 and the male connector 370 can be engaged with eachother.

On the other hand, in Embodiment 3, in the same way as in Embodiment 1,even if the shape, size (for example, a taper angle, an outer diameter,etc.) of the outer peripheral surface of the tubular section 372 of themale connector 370 vary depending upon the manufacturers andspecifications, the insertion section 119 of the adaptor 110 is deformedelastically in accordance with the outer peripheral surface of thetubular section 372 of the male connector 370, so that the maleconnector 370 and the female connector can be connected to each otherprecisely without the leakage of the liquid-like substance.

Thus, in the case where the male connector has the engagement protrusion384 corresponding to the shape of the clips 340 of the handle 320 inEmbodiment 3, the adaptor 110 can be connected to the tubular section ofthe male connector, using the handle 320, and further, the handle 320and the male connector can be engaged with each other.

On the other hand, in the case where the male connector does not havethe engagement protrusion 384 corresponding to the shape of the clips340 of the handle 320 in Embodiment 3, the handle 320 is used only forconnecting the adaptor 110 to the tubular section of the male connector.In this case, it is preferred that the mechanism (see FIGS. 9A, 9B, 10A,and 10B) holding the handle 220, described in Embodiment 1, is providedon the adaptor 110 so that the handle 320 does not move to a positionfar away from the adaptor 110 after the adaptor 110 is connected to thetubular section of the male connector.

According to Embodiment 3, the handle 320 and the male connector 370 canbe engaged with each other merely by moving the handle 320 in thedirection indicated by the arrow 302 with respect to the male connector370. Further, the engagement between the handle 320 and the maleconnector 370 can be cancelled merely by grasping the pair of operationsections 331 and moving the handle 320 in the direction indicated by thearrow 302.

Further, the lower surface of the platform 382 of the male connector 370is matched with the lower surface of the engagement protrusion 384 (thatis, the engagement protrusion 384 is provided along the lower surface ofthe platform 382), so that the height of the male connector 370 from theannular region 383 of the platform 382 can be reduced. Consequently, theheight of the clips 340 from the abutment surfaces 343 also can bereduced. This can reduce the size in an up-and-down direction of themale connector 370 and the handle 320.

The above-mentioned embodiment is an example, and the present inventionis not limited thereto.

Although the pair of engagement tabs 341 and the pair of abutmentsurfaces 343 are provided in one dip 340 of the handle 320, the numberof the engagement tabs 341 and the abutment surfaces 342 to be providedin one clip 340 may be one or three or more, instead of being limited totwo. Further, the abutment surfaces 343 can be omitted.

Although the flange holding sections 321 are formed as two separateparts in the vicinity of the through-hole 322 on the upper surface ofthe frame 330, the flange holding sections 321 may be continuous in anannular shape. Further, the flange holding sections 321 do not need tobe bulged, and may be a flat surface common to the upper surface in thesurrounding of the frame 330.

In the present embodiment, the description of Embodiment 1 can beadapted as it is or with obvious alterations added theretoappropriately.

Embodiment 4

In Embodiment 4, a female connector in which an engagement shape forpreventing an adaptor connected to a tubular section of a male connectorfrom coming off the tubular section accidentally is provided on ahandle, and a male connector provided with an engagement shapecorresponding thereto will be described.

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of a male connector 470 according toEmbodiment 4 of the present invention. FIG. 39A is a front view of themale connector 470, and FIG. 39B is a bottom view thereof. In FIG. 38,alternate long and short dashed lines 471 indicate a center axis of themale connector 470. The direction of a center axis 471 is defined as anup-and-down direction, and an upper side on the drawing surface of FIG.38 (a side connected to the port 930 of the medical container 910) willbe referred to as an “upper side”, and a lower side on the drawingsurface of the figure (a side to which a female connector is connected)will be referred to as a “lower side”.

On the inner peripheral surface of a cap section 480, a female thread481 to be screwed with the male thread section 936 (see FIG. 4) of theport 930 of the medical container 910 is formed (see FIG. 43). On thelower surface of the cap section 480, a circular region protrudesdownward from the center compared with an annular region 483 in thesurrounding of the circular region, whereby a platform 482 is provided.A tubular section 472 protruding downward is provided at the center ofthe platform 482.

The outer peripheral surface of the tubular section 472 of the presentexample has three tapered surfaces (truncated cone surfaces), the outerdiameters of which increase toward the cap 480, arranged in thedirection of the center axis 471. In the tubular section 472, athrough-hole 473, out of which the liquid-like substance in the pouch920 flows, is formed.

On the outer peripheral surface of the platform 482, a male thread 484is formed. The male thread 484 is a quadruple thread. In the quadruplethread, the distance (lead) by which the male thread 484 proceeds in theaxis direction when making one rotation is four times an interval(pitch) in the axis direction of a screw thread. The annular region 483is provided with a pair of protrusions 485 at symmetrical positions withrespect to the center axis 471.

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of a handle 420 constituting the femaleconnector according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. FIG. 41 isa cross-sectional view taken along the center axis of the handle 420.Since an adaptor constituting the female connector according toEmbodiment 4 together with the handle 420 is the same as that describedin Embodiment 1, the description thereof will be omitted. In FIG. 41,alternate long and short dashed lines 111 indicate the center axis ofthe adaptor described in Embodiment 1 to be inserted into the handle420, and the center axis of the adaptor is matched with the center axisof the female connector of Embodiment 4 and the center axis of thehandle 420. As described in Embodiment 1, the direction of the centeraxis 111 is defined as an up-and-down direction, and a side connected tothe male connector will be referred to as an “upper side”, and anopposite side thereof will be referred to as a “lower side”.

The handle 420 has a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole. Thehandle 420 has a large-diameter section 423 having an inner diameterlarger than the outer diameter of the flange section 113 of the adaptor110 in the vicinity of the upper end thereof, and a small-diametersection 422 having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter ofthe tube-shaped section 112 of the adaptor 111 and smaller than theouter diameter of the flange section 113 on the lower side of thelarge-diameter section 423. Then, a flange holding section 421 is formedbetween the small-diameter section 422 and the large-diameter section423. A grasping section 424 in a substantially cylindrical shape isprovided on the lower side of the small-diameter section 422.

A screw-up section 430 in a substantially cylindrical shape is formed onthe upper side of the large-diameter section 423. A female thread 431 isformed on the inner peripheral surface of the screw-up section 430. Thefemale thread 431 is a quadruple thread capable of being screwed with amale thread 481 formed on the male connector 470. On the upper surfaceof the screw-up section 430, a plurality of protrusions 432 are formed.

A method for connecting the female connector of Embodiment 4 to the maleconnector 470 will be described with reference to FIG. 42. In FIG. 42, amedical container including a port to which the male connector 470 isconnected is not shown. The adaptor 110 is inserted into the handle 420,and the lower surface 114 of the flange section 113 of the adaptor 110is supported by the flange holding section 421 of the handle 420. Inthis state, the outer peripheral surface of the grasping section 424 ofthe handle 420 is grasped with two fingers, and the adaptor 110 isinstalled on the tubular section 472 in the direction indicated by anarrow 402 so that the adaptor 110 covers the outer peripheral surface ofthe tubular section 472 of the male connector 470. In the same way as inEmbodiment 1, the insertion section 119 of the adaptor 110 hasflexibility and elasticity, so that the insertion section 119 isdeformed in accordance with the shape of the outer peripheral surface ofthe tubular section 472 of the male connector 470 and comes into tightcontact with the outer peripheral surface of the tubular section 472 dueto the elastic recovery force. On the other hand, the handle 420 has ahigh rigidity, so that the grasping force applied to the handle 420 in adiameter direction thereof by the two fingers will not increase thefriction between the insertion section 119 of the adaptor 110 and thetubular section 472. Further, the flange section 113 is formed at afront end of the adaptor 110 in the direction indicated by the arrow402, so that the adaptor 110 will not be buckled and deformed due to theforce applied to the handle 420 in the direction indicated by the arrow402 by the two fingers.

After the tubular section 472 of the male connector 470 is inserteddeeply into the insertion section 119 of the adaptor 110, the handle 420further is pushed in the direction indicated by the arrow 402 withrespect to the male connector 470, and the handle 420 is rotatedclockwise around the center axis 111 with respect to the male connector470. The male thread 484 of the male connector 470 and the female thread431 of the handle 420 are engaged with each other, and the handle 420rises. Finally, the upper surface of the screw-up section 430 of thehandle 420 abuts on the annular region 483 of the male connector 470. Atthis time, the pair of protrusions 485 formed in the annular region 483of the male connector 470 respectively are engaged with any of theplurality of protrusions 432 formed on the upper surface of the screw-upsection 430 of the handle 420. Therefore, the screwed-together betweenthe male thread 484 and the female thread 431 can be prevented frombeing loosened. Further, the flange section 113 of the adaptor 110 isdeformed elastically in the direction indicated by the arrow 402 by theflange holding section 421 of the handle 420, and the elastic recoveryforce thereof generates friction between the male thread 484 and thefemale thread 431, so that the screwed-together state between the malethread 484 and the female thread 431 can be prevented further from beingloosened. Thus, the handle 420 and the male connector 470 are engagedwith each other, whereby the adaptor 110 can be prevented from comingoff the tubular section 472. FIG. 43 shows a state in which the femaleconnector and the male connector 470 are connected to each other. Sincethe male thread 484 and the female thread 431 are screwed with eachother, and the above configuration is provided so as to prevent thescrewed together state from being loosened, even when a small impactsuch as the touch of a hand is applied, the engagement state between themale thread 484 of the male connector 470, and the female thread 484 ofthe handle 420 will not be cancelled.

The female connector can be separated from the male connector 470 byperforming the above operation in an opposite way. That is, the handle420 is rotated counterclockwise around the center axis 111 with respectto the male connector 470. Consequently, the pair of protrusions 485formed in the annular region 483 of the male connector 470 overpass theplurality of protrusions 432 formed on the upper surface of the screw-upsection 430 of the handle 420, whereby the engagement state between themale connector 470 and the handle 420 is cancelled. By rotating thehandle 420 further, the engagement between the male thread 484 of themale connector 470 and the female thread 431 of the handle 420 iscancelled. Then, the adaptor 110 is pulled out from the tubular section472 of the male connector 470.

If the shape of the male thread 484 provided on the male connector 470corresponds to the shape of the female thread 431 provided on the handle420, the handle 420 and the male connector 470 can be engaged with eachother. That is, even if the shape, size, and the like of the tubularsection 472 of the male connector 470 vary depending upon themanufacturers and specifications, the handle 420 and the male connector470 can be engaged with each other.

On the other hand, in Embodiment 4, in the same way as in Embodiment 1,even if the shape, size (for example, a taper angle, an outer diameter,etc.), and the like of the outer peripheral surface of the tubularsection 472 of the male connector 470 vary depending upon themanufacturers and specifications, the insertion section 119 of theadaptor 110 is deformed elastically in accordance with the outerperipheral surface of the tubular section 472 of the male connector 470,so that the male connector 470 and the female connector 400 can beconnected to each other precisely without the leakage of the liquid-likesubstance.

Thus, in the case where the male connector has the male thread 484corresponding to the shape of the female thread 431 of the handle 420 inEmbodiment 4, the adaptor 110 can be connected to the tubular section ofthe male connector, using the handle 420, and further, the handle 420and the male connector can be engaged with each other.

On the other hand, in the case where the male connector does not havethe male thread 484 corresponding to the shape of the female thread 431of the handle 420 in Embodiment 4, the handle 420 is used only forconnecting the adaptor 110 to the tubular section of the male connector.In this case, it is preferred that the mechanism (see FIGS. 9A, 9B, 10A,and 10B) holding the handle 220, described in Embodiment 1, is providedon the adaptor 110 so that the handle 420 does not move to a positionfar away from the adaptor 110 after the adaptor 110 is connected to thetubular section of the male connector.

According to Embodiment 4, the handle 420 and the male connector 470 canbe engaged with each other, and the engagement thereof can be cancelledmerely by rotating the handle 420 around the center axis 111 withrespect to the male connector 470.

The above embodiment is an example, and the present invention is notlimited thereto.

For example, the quadruple threads are used as the male thread 484 andthe female thread 431; however, the present invention is not limitedthereto. A multiple thread other than the quadruple thread may be usedor a single thread may be used. It should be noted that, if the multiplethread is used, the male thread 484 and the female thread 431 can beengaged with each other with a small rotation angle of the handle 420.

The pair of protrusions 485 formed in the annular region 483 of the maleconnector 470 and the plurality of protrusions 432 formed on the uppersurface of the screw-up section 430 of the handle 420, having a threadlocking function, can be omitted.

In the present embodiment, the description of Embodiment 1 can beadapted as it is or with obvious alterations added theretoappropriately.

In Embodiments 1-4, as shown in FIG. 4, an example has been described inwhich the male connector 170 is provided integrally with the cap section180 having the female thread section to be screwed with the male threadsection 936 formed on the port 930 of the medical container 910;however, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, asshown in FIG. 44, a tubular section 531 to be inserted into an adaptorof a female connector may be formed integrally with a port 530 to bejoined to a pouch 520 by heat seat. That is, the port 530 can beconsidered as a male connector provided with the tubular section 531. InFIG. 44, reference numeral 500 denotes a medical container, 520 denotesa pouch, 521 denotes a seal region of two seats constituting the pouch,522 denotes an opening used for hanging the medical container 500, and523 denotes a fastener.

FIG. 45A is a schematic perspective view of a male connector (port) 530to be used for the medical container 500 in FIG. 44; FIG. 45B is a frontview thereof, and FIG. 45C is right side view thereof. In these figures,alternate long and short dashed lines 539 indicate a center axis of themale connector 530. The direction of the center axis 539 is defined asan up-and-down direction, and an upper side on the drawing surfaces ofthe figures (a side connected to the pouch 520) will be referred to asan “upper side” and a lower side on the drawing surfaces of the figures(a side to which the female connector is connected) will be referred toas a “lower side”.

The male connector 530 includes a joint section 532 to be integratedwith the pouch 520 by heat seal, while being sandwiched between edges oftwo sheets constituting the pouch 520, the tubular section 531 providedwith a through-hole (not shown) out of which the liquid-like substancefilling the pouch 520 flows, and an engagement plate (platform) 533provided between the joint section 532 and the tubular section 531. Thetubular section 531 protruding downward is provided at the center of thelower surface of the engagement plate 533. On the outer peripheralsurface of the engagement plate 533, a pair of engagement tabs 534 areformed so as to protrude in a radial direction with respect to thecenter axis 539 at symmetrical positions with respect to the center axis539. The engagement tab 534 includes an engagement chip 535 extendingsubstantially in a horizontal direction and a lock protrusion 536 formedso as to protrude upward at one end of the engagement chip 535. The pairof engagement tabs 534 have a function similar to that of the pair ofengagement tabs 284 formed on the male connector 270 described inEmbodiment 2.

Although the male connector 530 has the pair of engagement tabs 534 thatfunction similarly to the pair of engagement tabs 284 described inEmbodiment 2, the male connector 530 may have a member that functionssimilarly to the engagement protrusion 384 described in Embodiment 3 ora member that functions similarly to the male thread 484 described inEmbodiment 4.

In Embodiments 1-4, the case has been described where the male connectorprovided at a medical container and the female connector provided at oneend of a transintestine nutrient set are connected to each other;however, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, thepresent invention can be applied to the case where a male connectorprovided at one end of a tube through which a liquid-like substancepasses and a female connector provided at one end of another tube areconnected to each other.

The female connector described in Embodiments 1-4 can be provided at oneend of a PEG tube. In this case, a male connector to be connected to thefemale connector can be provided at one end of a nutrient set to beconnected to a container (for example, a pouch) storing a liquid-likesubstance such as a nutrient or a liquid diet. Since there are nospecifications to be standards regarding the shape and size of the maleconnector to be connected to the PEG tube, it is highly significant thatthe present invention is applied to the PEG tube.

In order to keep the inside of the PEG tube dean, the PEG tube may befilled with diluted vinegar, when the liquid-like substance is notadministered. In such a case, since an adaptor of the female connectoris wet, even when the adaptor is connected to a tubular section of themale connector, the adaptor may come off the tubular section easily.Further, it is necessary to push out the liquid-like substance toward apatient in the case where the liquid-like substance has high viscosity.In this case, the adaptor of the female connector also is likely to comeoff the tubular section of the male connector due to the pressureapplied to the liquid-like substance. Thus, in the case where thepresent invention is applied to the PEG tube, as described inEmbodiments 2-4, it is preferred to provide an engagement shape to beengaged with the male connector on a handle of the female connector.Further, it is preferred that the male connector is provided with anengagement shape capable of being engaged with the engagement shapeprovided on the handle. This can prevent the adaptor of the femaleconnector connected to the tubular section of the male connector fromcoming off the tubular section accidentally.

The embodiments described above are shown strictly for the purposes ofclarifying the technical contents of the present invention; the presentinvention should not be interpreted only based on such specific examplesand can be carried out in various modifications within the scope of thespirit of the invention and the claims, and should be interpreted in abroad meaning.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

There is no particular limit to the field of the invention, and thepresent invention can be used, for example, in a female connector or aconnector to be used for performing a transintestine nutrition therapyor an intravenous nutrition therapy. In addition, the present inventionalso can be used in a female connector, a connector, or the like to beused for dealing with a liquid-like substance such as food other thanthose for medical purposes.

1. A female connector to be connected to a male connector having atubular section, out of which a liquid-like substance flows, comprising:an adaptor installed on an outer peripheral surface of the tubularsection, and a handle fitted on the adaptor, wherein the adaptor has atube-shaped section having an opening at one end thereof, thetube-shaped section includes an insertion section into which the tubularsection is inserted from the opening, and the insertion section hasflexibility and elasticity, the handle has a rigidity higher than thatof the insertion section of the adaptor, and there is provided movementlimitation means limiting a range in which the handle is capable ofmoving relative to the adaptor from an end of the adaptor on an oppositeside of the opening to an end thereof on the opening side in a centeraxis direction of the adaptor.
 2. The female connector according toclaim 1, wherein the movement limitation means includes a flange sectionprovided at the end of the tube-shaped section of the adaptor on theopening side or in a vicinity thereof so as to protrude outward from theouter peripheral surface of the tube-shaped section, and a flangeholding section provided on the handle so as to hold a surface of theflange section on an opposite side of the opening.
 3. The femaleconnector according to claim 1, wherein the movement limitation meansfurther limits a range in which the handle is capable of moving relativeto the adaptor from the end of the adaptor on the opening side to theend thereof on the opposite side of the opening in the center axisdirection of the adaptor.
 4. The female connector according to claim 3,wherein the movement limitation means includes an annular groove in acircumferential direction, provided on a surface of one of thetube-shaped section and the handle opposed to the other, and a fittingsection provided on the other of the tube-shaped section and the handleso as to be fitted in the groove.
 5. The female connector according toclaim 4, wherein, when a width of the groove is defined as W1 and awidth of the fitting section is defined as W2 in the center axisdirection of the adaptor, 1.0≦W1/W2≦1.5 is satisfied.
 6. The femaleconnector according to claim 3, wherein the movement limitation meansincludes a bonding section that bonds the adaptor to the handle.
 7. Thefemale connector according to claim 1, wherein an inner peripheralsurface of the insertion section of the adaptor has a tapered surfacewhose inner diameter increases toward the opening.
 8. The femaleconnector according to claim 1, wherein an inner peripheral surface ofthe insertion section of the adaptor is provided with an annularprotrusion in a circumferential direction.
 9. The female connectoraccording to claim 1, wherein an inner peripheral surface of theinsertion section of the adaptor is provided with an annular differencein level in a circumferential direction, and the difference in levelchanges an inner diameter of the insertion section in a stepped shape sothat the inner diameter of the insertion section on the opening sidewith respect to the difference in level becomes larger than the innerdiameter of the insertion section on an opposite side of the openingwith respect to the difference in level.
 10. The female connectoraccording to claim 2, wherein the adaptor is provided with a holdingmechanism holding the handle.
 11. The female connector according toclaim 10, wherein the holding mechanism is a locking protrusion thatprotrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the tube-shapedsection of the adaptor so as to abut on an end of the handle on anopposite side of the male connector.
 12. The female connector accordingto claim 10, wherein the holding mechanism is a contact protrusion thatprotrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the tube-shapedsection of the adaptor so as to abut on an inner peripheral surface ofthe handle.
 13. The female connector according to claim 2, wherein atube connected to an end of the adaptor on an opposite side of theopening is provided with a holding mechanism holding the handle.
 14. Thefemale connector according to claim 2, wherein the handle is providedwith a holding mechanism so as to be held by a tube connected to an endof the adaptor on an opposite side of the opening or the adaptor. 15.The female connector according to claim 1, wherein the handle has anannular shape surrounding the adaptor without any rift.
 16. The femaleconnector according to claim 1, wherein an inner peripheral surface ofthe handle has a tapered surface whose inner diameter decreases towardthe male connector.
 17. The female connector according to claim 1,wherein an inner peripheral surface of the handle has a small-diametersection whose inner diameter is smaller than that of the other sections.18. The female connector according to claim 1, wherein the handle isprovided with a slit connecting an upper end to a lower end thereof soas to be discontinuous in a circumferential direction of the adaptor.19. The female connector according to claim 18, wherein a hinge isformed at a position to which the slit of the handle is opposed, and twohalves constituting the handle are connected rotatably via the hinge.20. The female connector according to claim 18, wherein the handleincludes diameter expansion limitation means that limits a diameterexpansion of the handle.
 21. The female connector according claim 1,wherein the handle includes an engagement shape capable of being engagedwith the male connector.
 22. The female connector according to claim 21,wherein the handle includes a brim section that protrudes on the maleconnector side with respect to the movement limitation means, and theengagement shape is provided at the brim section.
 23. The femaleconnector according to claim 22, wherein an inner peripheral surface ofthe brim section opposed to a center axis of the handle includes anengagement wall that extends in a circumferential direction, a concaveportion provided on an opposite side of the engagement wall with respectto the male connector, and a convex portion provided adjacent to theconcave portion on either one side in the circumferential direction withrespect to the concave portion, and the engagement shape includes theengagement wall.
 24. The female connector according to claim 1, whereinthe handle includes a frame having the movement limitation means, a pairof clips protruding on the male connector side with respect to theframe, and a pair of operation sections protruding on an opposite sideof the male connector with respect to the frame, wherein a surface on aside opposed to each of the pair of clips is provided with an engagementtab, and when the frame is deformed elastically so as to narrow aninterval between tip ends of the pair of operation sections, an intervalbetween tip ends of the pair of clips is widened.
 25. The femaleconnector according to claim 1, wherein the handle includes a femalethread on the male connector side with respect to the movementlimitation means.
 26. The female connector according to claim 1, whereinthe liquid-like substance is a transintestine nutrient in atransintestine nutrition therapy.
 27. A connector comprising a maleconnector having a tubular section, out of which a liquid-like substanceflows, and a female connector to be connected to the male connector,wherein the female connector is the female connector according toclaim
 1. 28. The connector according to claim 27, wherein, when thetubular section of the male connector is inserted into the insertionsection of the adaptor of the female connector, the insertion section issqueezed by the tubular section and the handle.
 29. The connectoraccording to claim 27, wherein the male connector and the handle of thefemale connector are provided with engagement shapes that are engagedwith each other.
 30. A connector comprising a male connector having atubular section, out of which a liquid-like substance flows, and afemale connector to be connected to the male connector, wherein thefemale connector is the female connector according to claim 23, the maleconnector has a platform in which the tubular section protrudes from acenter thereof, an outer peripheral surface of the platform is providedwith an engagement tab protruding in a radial direction with respect toa center axis, and the engagement tab is stored in the concave portionof the handle, and the engagement tab is engaged with the engagementwall of the handle.
 31. The connector according to claim 30, wherein theengagement tab of the male connector abuts on the convex portion of thehandle to regulate a rotation of the handle with respect to the maleconnector.
 32. The connector according to claim 30, wherein theengagement tab is provided along a surface of the platform, on which thetubular section is provided.
 33. A connector comprising a male connectorhaving a tubular section, out of which a liquid-like substance flows,and a female connector to be connected to the male connector, whereinthe female connector is the female connector according to claim 24, themale connector has a platform in which the tubular section protrudesfrom a center thereof an engagement protrusion protruding in a radialdirection with respect to a center axis is provided continuously overthe outer peripheral surface of the platform, and the engagement tab ofthe handle is engaged with the engagement protrusion.
 34. The connectoraccording to claim 33, wherein the engagement protrusion is providedalong a surface of the platform, on which the tubular section isprovided.
 35. A connector comprising a male connector having a tubularsection, out of which a liquid-like substance flows, and a femaleconnector to be connected to the male connector, wherein the femaleconnector is the female connector according to claim 25, the maleconnector has a platform in which the tubular section protrudes from acenter thereof, a male thread is formed on an outer peripheral surfaceof the platform, and the female thread of the handle is screwed with themale thread.
 36. The connector according to claim 27, wherein theconnector is provided on a line connecting a container storing atransintestine nutrient in a transintestine nutrition therapy to apatient.